HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — The Pratt Institute women's basketball team featured a balanced and potent offense with three players scoring in double figures, but a tough middle two frames proved to be the difference in a 71-61 loss to Centenary University on Wednesday evening in an Atlantic East Conference road contest.
The Cannoneers (1-10, 0-3 AEC) came out firing, controlling the game for nearly 16 minutes. A 3-pointer from first-year Dahlia Dimitrov (Montreal, Canada) gave Pratt an early lead, and the team built an 18-16 advantage after a high-scoring first quarter. The gold-and-black held the lead for the majority of the first half.
However, Centenary (8-6, 1-2 AEC) used a 20-7 run in the second quarter to take a 36-25 lead into halftime. Pratt battled back, putting together a 20-point fourth quarter in a strong finishing effort, but could not overcome the deficit.
Fifth-year guard Kylie Grant (Dallas, Texas) led all scorers with 21 points and added eight rebounds. First-year Lola Mactavish (Sydney, Australia) had a season-best performance, scoring 16 points on an efficient 6-for-8 shooting.
Sophomore Anabela Jakelic (Zagreb, Croatia) posted 10 points and 11 rebounds to go with three assists and a block for her third straight double-double and fifth of the season. Junior Emily Carlson (Utica, N.Y.) nearly had one of her own, finishing with nine points and 11 boards. Pratt won the rebounding battle 48-43 and outscored the Cyclones in the paint, 42-38.
The Cyclones were powered by their bench, which outscored Pratt's reserves 37-0. Alexandra Koon led the effort with 16 points, while Makayla Williams added 13 points, four assists, and four steals.
Pratt returns to the ARC on Saturday, Jan. 17, for a conference matchup against Marymount University. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
