JOHNSON, Vt. – Johnson State College hung close with Colby-Sawyer College through 20 minutes of play but the visiting Chargers managed to pull away from the Badgers in the second half for a 81-53 win and stay undefeated in North Atlantic Conference action. Johnson falls to 3-15 overall, 1-11 NAC while Colby-Sawyer improves to 14-4, 11-0 by winning their 11th straight game and 14 of the last 15.
Johnson was paced by freshman forward Lazrin Schenck (Shelburne, Vt./Champlain Valley Union) and her 11-point, six-rebound effort while sophomore guard Brittany Robertson (Burlington, Vt./Burlington) added 10 points, six boards, and three steals. Sophomore forward Ashley Jones (Jeffersonville, Vt./Lamoille/Clarkson) chipped in with nine points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Colby-Sawyer received game-high's of 16 points and 13 rebounds from sophomore Kelsey Cahill (Cumberland, R.I./Cumberland) while senior Taylor DeSanty (North Adams, Mass./Drury) scored 15 points. Senior Cailin Bullett (Millbury, Mass./Millbury) supplied 13 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals in a fine all-around effort for the Chargers.
JSC jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead behind six points from Jones with just under four minutes played. The Chargers would answer with a 11-0 surge to gain a 13-8 lead with 12:57 remaining in the first half but a Deanna Brandstetter (Newport, Vt./North Country) free throw and five quick points from Robertson gave Johnson the lead back at 14-13 with 9:09 to go. The Chargers would take back control and run to a 26-15 advantage with 2:44 left in the first but back-to-back 3-pointers by Schenck and Mary Richardson (Vernon, Vt./Brattleboro) would help the Badgers close the gap as the teams entered halftime with C-SC leading 29-21.
A basket from DeSanty to open the second half gave Colby-Sawyer a double-digit lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game as the Chargers methodically pulled away for the comfortable victory.
Johnson was able to hold the potent Charger offense to 38% (13-34) shooting in the first half but saw that number rise to 46% (20-44) in the second half for 42% (33-78) effort on the day while Johnson shot 25% (16-64) from the field for the game. The Chargers also earned a 44-32 rebounding advantage in the contest.
Johnson moves on to host non-conference foe Plymouth State University on Thursday at 5:30 pm while Colby-Sawyer will host New England College at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, an important NAC contest for both teams.