NEW ROCHELLE, NY — After losing leading scorer Jah-Leah Ellis to an injury in the opening minute, The College of New Rochelle hung tough with Albertus Magnus College before fading in the second half in a 72-41 non-conference loss at the Wellness Center.
Ellis, who is among the national leaders in scoring, rebounding and double-doubles, had just one rebound prior to the injury. Hannah Cambel paces the Blue Angel (9-6) offense with 11 points, and was joined in double-figures by Alyssa Pechin, who tallied 10 points. Chelsea Thomas scored seven points while pulling down seven rebounds.
Olivia Bolden led all scorers with 19 points for the Falcons (10-9). Kelsey Pendagast tallied 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
Albertus Magnus led in the early going until a Pechin triple gave CNR an 11-10 lead with 13:02 to play in the first half. The Blue Angel lead grew to as many as five, 16-11, following another Pechin three-pointer, before the Falcons rallied. CNR led, 19-15, with 10 minutes left in the opening stanza before Albertus Magnus closed out the first half with an 18-3 run to take an 11 point lead, 33-22, into the break.
With a shortened bench, CNR faded in the second 20 minutes, as the Falcons gradually built up their lead, leading by no less than 18 points over the final 14 minutes.
The Blue Angels get back in action on Monday, February 2, hosting DII Mercy College in a game scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM.
