PREVIEW: REGIS COLLEGE HOSTS NEC, TRAVELS TO ENC IN CONFERENCE PLAY

WESTON, Mass.—With its first conference win of the season in the books, the Regis College women's basketball team will continue with conference play this week. Hosting New England College (9-6, 2-1 TCCC) Wednesday, the Pride will travel to Eastern Nazarene College (2-12, 1-2 TCCC) on Saturday to continue its chase to the championship.

In a 76-64 victory over Curry, Regis College evened its overall record at 7-7 while going 1-2 in the conference. Freshman Teresa Busiek (Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) had her first start of the season, and notched a career-high 14 points. Such a performance shows a deal of promise for Busiek, and expands the expectations for head coach Julie Plant's other newcomer's.

Sophomore Alex Chace (North Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames) was a three-point shooting threat on Saturday, and made Curry pay greatly for its lack of defense on her while near the perimeter. Finishing with the team's second highest point total (16), Chace hit three consecutive three pointers to give Regis College a double-digit lead. She was 4-for-7 from behind the arc, and shot better than .500 from the field.

As true followers would expect, Stephanie Crawford (Rockland, Mass./Rockland) and Sarah McNult had yet again a solid nights for the Pride. With a team-high 18 points, Crawford is averaging 18.0 points per game in Regis' last three games. That average is +4.0 points better than her season average of her 14.0 PPG.

McNult has improved to eight double-double games this season following her 13 point 14 rebound performance against Curry.

Breaking down the opponents

On Wednesday Regis College will face New England College, a team that Regis handed a 93-65 loss to last season, and could possibly come away with a win this year also. The Pilgrims are riding a 2-0 conference-winning streak entering the Regis College arena. Coming off a 71-60 win over Nichols College, New England's Rachel Williams tallied a school record 43 points in 38 minutes of play. She was 16-for-24 (.667) from the field, 2-for-3 (.667) behind the arc, and 9-for-13 (.692) at free-throw line. If curious, she was 61 percent of the Pilgrims offensive production.

In 15 games this season Williams has tallied double-figures in points in 13 of those games. She has scored at least 20 points in six games, and more than 30 points four times including the Nichols game.

Just one other player scored in double figures in the Nichols match-up, Kate Levy scored 10 points.

Williams' ranks first in the conference in points per game with an average of 21.9, +8.5 points better than Regis' Crawford.

Levy appears to be the Pilgrims only other score, averaging 10.4 PPG, while the pair also make up the bulk of the teams rebounding. Williams averages 11.2 rebounds per game and Levy adds an average of 5.2 RPG.

Williams is a talented player without question. As she did against Nichols, and every game that she has posted double figurers, she is capable of giving New England a win. Defending her closely, frustrating the timing of her shot, and keeping her from getting the ball will significantly help Regis College come away with a win.