Coach Proulx Picks up 100th Career Win in Season Opener

Chicopee, MA – The Elms College Women's Basketball Team kicked off the 2022-23 season with a home win over Salem State University. The Blazers were in control of the game throughout the 75-69 win.

With the win, Coach Proulx joins the 100 win club.

THE BASICS

Score: Vikings 69 | Blazers 75

Records: Vikings (0-1) | Blazers (1-0)

How it happened

The Blazers began their season opener finishing the first quarter leading by two points, 11-9. The Vikings cashed in a layup within the first two minutes, but first year Mikayler Patch (North Attleboro, MA) quickly answered back with a layup assisted by Brianna Metellus (Springfield, MA). The first five minutes of play were slow to start, with the score stagnant at 4-2 with Elms leading. The Blazers stayed ahead of the Vikings for the rest of the quarter.

Hitting nothing but net sophomore Sarah Evangelista (West Haven, CT) knocked down a three pointer just twenty seconds into the second quarter (14-9). The Blazers continued taking shots from all over inside the arch, but didn't secure another basket until first year Kayla Jackson (Saugus, MA) received a pass down low by Metellus to put up an easy two points (16-11). For the rest of the quarter the Blazers begin to find their rhythm closing out the half with a 29-24 lead, the Vikings trail closely behind.

With the third quarter underway, the Vikings put up a routine layup just twenty seconds in the half (29-26). Adding in two free throws and another layup Salem State kept the score close, making sure the Blazers didn't grow too much of a lead (33-30). Evangelista cashed in a second three, boosting the Blazers lead 36-30 now with seven minutes left in the third. For the rest of the quarter the Blazers would continue to knock down shots inside the arch, Evangelista would hit another three helping Elms keep hold of the lead. The Vikings would stay at forty points for the rest of the third, Blazers leading by eleven heading into the fourth quarter (51-40).

Three minutes into the fourth the Blazers had built their lead from eleven points to seventeen (61-44). At the 3:43 minute mark Elms hit two more free throws bringing them to 67 points where they would stay till just under 2 minutes of game left. While the Blazers became stuck at sixty seven the Vikings were chipping away at the score with a couple layups, free throws, and a three pointer by Abuk Teng bringing the Blazers lead to only a four point difference (67-63). With an off the dribble jump shot by Marie Diemand the Blazers would knock down a few more shots to secure their first season win against the Salem State Vikings 75-69.

From the desk of Coach Proulx

"I am very proud of how we fought for forty minutes and pulled out a gritty non conference win to start off our season. Our young kids really showed what they're capable of and Junior Rahmia Johnston continued where she left off last season, leading us at the point guard position. We definitely took some steps forward and look forward to our next competition this weekend."

Inside the Numbers

• Rahmia Johnston lead the Blazers in points with 18 in the game
• Sarah Evangelista hit 4 three pointers locking in 12 points to start her sophomore season. 
• First year Kayla Jackson kicked off her season with a double double attaining 19 rebounds and 16 points.
• Coach Proulx for securing her 100th win

UP NEXT

The Blazers head to MCLA to face the Trailblazers on Saturday, Nov. 12th for a 12 PM game. Head to ecblazers.com to follow all the live action of the contest.