Zancan’s 27-Point, 20-Rebound Night Lifts Pride to GNAC Win

WESTON, Mass. — The Regis College women's basketball team secured its second consecutive Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory on Wednesday night, earning a 79-61 win over Mitchell College on Mental Health Awareness Night. With the result, the Pride improved to 5–1 in GNAC play and 8–11 overall.

Madi Zancan delivered another dominant performance, posting a monster double-double with 27 points (11-21FG), 20 rebounds, and six steals. Erika Marinelli followed with 16 points (7-12FG), while Jordyn Striggles and Zoey Swanson chipped in eight and seven points, respectively. Swanson also pulled down five rebounds off the bench.

Mitchell placed three players in double figures, led by Inonda Peterson's 14 points and 11 rebounds. Jade Hypolite and Jamya Beddoe added 11 and 13 points, respectively, in the effort for the Mariners.

How it Happened

The teams traded baskets to open the game and remained tied at seven for nearly two minutes before Kristina Asmani and Zoey Swanson sparked the Pride off the bench. The duo combined for seven of Regis' final nine points of the quarter, sending the Pride into the second with a 16-11 advantage.

With six minutes remaining in the second, Erika Marinelli knocked down a transition three to give Regis its first double-digit lead at 23-13, forcing a Mitchell timeout. The Pride followed by applying full-court pressure, speeding up the Mariners and forcing turnovers while holding Mitchell without a field goal until the 1:51 mark. Regis capitalized during that stretch, and a Riley Whitter deep two at the buzzer capped the half, giving the Pride a 36-21 lead and all the momentum heading into the break.

Mitchell opened the third quarter with a pair of quick buckets, but Regis answered by pushing the pace in transition. A fastbreak layup from Jordyn Striggles off a feed from Smith rebuilt the Pride's advantage to 49–33, prompting the Mariners to regroup. Regis continued to run, extending the lead to as many as 20 before a Madi Zancan buzzer-beater - mirroring the end of the second quarter - sent the Pride into the final frame with their largest lead of the night at 61-39.

The Pride closed the game with a balanced offensive effort, as eight different players scored. Mitchell trimmed the deficit to 13 with just over four minutes remaining, but that was as close as the Mariners would get. Back-to-back three-pointers from Jillian Perry and Striggles ignited the bench and sealed Regis' 79-61 victory.

Inside the Numbers

• With tonight's victory, Head Coach Samantha Crough recorded her 50th career win at the helm of the Regis College women's basketball program.
• Madi Zancan grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds as part of her dominant performance on the night.
• Defensively, the Pride continued to protect the rim, recording five blocks in back-to-back games.
• Emma Pollini also saw her first action of the season, scoring two points in the win.

Up Next

The Pride remain at home on Saturday, January 31, as they welcome the Norwich University Cadets to Higgins Court for a noon tip-off. At halftime, Regis will honor Courtney Doherty '25 and unveil her name on the 1,000-point banner.