For three quarters it seemed almost certain that Springfield would start off their season with a statement win.
Then came the final ten minutes.
After building a double-digit lead and controlling the tempo for much of the night, the Pride watched Western New England flip the script on a 10-point deficit in the final quarter, resulting in a 44-41 loss for Springfield in its home opener.
The loss marked the fourth consecutive season that Springfield opened their schedule against the Golden Bears. The Pride won three of the previous five matchups against the familiar team, but Friday’s result added another chapter to the rivalry.
Springfield played its first game under a new head coach and system, establishing an early advantage with a 15-8 lead after quarter one backed by 13 rebounds. The Pride’s lead only increased after a hard-fought second quarter, highlighted by a three-pointer by Madison Lopez and a steal by junior Ruth Boles in the final seconds.
Heading into halftime, Springfield held the advantage, having established its presence on the glass and creating offensive opportunities. In the third quarter, the team stretched its lead to 13 points.
But the Golden Bears were far from finished.
Western New England began slowly chipping away, putting together 12 unanswered points for a run that shifted the momentum. With under five minutes remaining, they took a 37-35 lead, putting the Pride at a deficit for the first time since the opening minutes of play.
Senior Claire Finney knocked down a three-pointer off an assist from Perry Blasetti, flipping the lead once again. Soon, 34 seconds remained, and one point separated the score. Despite the push and the energy from the home crowd, Western New England held on to secure a 44-41 victory.
Finney provided consistent offensive pressure for the Pride, finishing with a team high of 14 points. Blasetti also made an impact on both ends of the floor, recording seven rebounds and four steals while facing her former team.
“I think we got really good shots, like really good shot opportunities,” Finney said. “I think in the future, moving the ball, like switching the floor a little bit more, and then we’ll have those same shots, and they might just be a little more open, a little less contested.”
The matchup also marked the first opportunity for Springfield to put its new system to the test in a game setting.
“I think it plays to our strengths,” Finney said. “I also think it’s the kind of thing that is an adjustment. And so every practice we show up ready to learn, ready to go.”
For head coach Nicole Ambrose, the team was successful in many of the elements of that system, but there is still work to be done to execute as the team gets deeper into the season and faces similar tough matchups.
“We did all the things that we’ve been working on,” Ambrose said. “Now it’s a matter of just having to be able to convert when the time comes.”
Ambrose pointed to the team’s 60 field-goal attempts and 44 rebounds as indicators that Springfield was creating the opportunities it wanted. The challenge now: finding greater consistency in turning those opportunities into points.
“Now, knowing what to expect and what it feels like, we can continue to make those adjustments,” Ambrose said.
Springfield finished the night shooting 23.3% from the field and 18.5% from three-point range. Despite those struggles, the Pride won the battle on the glass, outrebounding Western New England 44-37 and collecting 15 offensive rebounds.
While Finney acknowledged how adjusting to a new style of play takes time, her faith in the team’s future is clear.
“You better get us now.”