Women's Basketball Edged Out In Close One Against NEC

PAXTON, MA - Anna Maria College was defeated 72-66 by New England College in a non-conference collegiate women's basketball game on Saturday afternoon at the Fuller Activities Center.

With the result, the AMCATS close out 2025 with an overall record of 3-6 before entering MASCAC competition in the new year.

Tiffany Salazar opened the game by knocking down a pair of threes and adding a pair of free throws to score eight of the AMCATS' 10 first-quarter points. Despite a tough shooting stretch in the second quarter, Anna Maria totaled 11 points, including six from the free throw line, heading into the halftime break trailing 30-21.

After edging the Pilgrims 18-17 in the third quarter, the AMCATS continued to battle, closing the gap further in the final quarter thanks in part to a barrage of three-pointers from Meghan Doyle. Salazar consistently attacked the hoop, earning trips to the free throw line, none more impactful than a pair of free throws that gave Anna Maria a 56-55 lead with under five minutes remaining. From there, NEC was able to regain the advantage and hold off the AMCATS down the stretch despite being outscored 27-25 in the fourth.

Three Anna Maria starters finished in double figures, led by Salazar with 20 points while shooting 10-for-13 from the free throw line. Doyle went 4-for-7 from beyond the arc to finish with 18 points, while Arianna Gonzalez added 10 points and a team-high five rebounds.

Anna Maria returns to action in the new year with a home matchup against Colby-Sawyer on Saturday, January 3, beginning at noon.

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