By Alana Pelosi

The women’s basketball team is looking to turn things around after a dismal season last year, and things are looking up as they have youth on their side. In addition to sophomore point guard Candace Bellocchio, the team has received a much appreciated boost from freshman CAA Rookie of the Week, Joelle Connelly. Leading the team with 58 points, Connelly was able to break into the starting lineup in the team’s last game against Southern Illinois.

There to guide the team are seniors Natty Fripp and Jess Fuller. Fripp, who has seen more time on the court than any other Pride player this season has done her fair share as she leads the team with 10 steals. Fuller, who is second behind Connelly with 52 points has been a major force in the team picking the first two wins. While a 2-3 record is still below .500, and last season they also started off with a 2-3 record, there was no 20-point blowout as seen against Manhattan College last Tuesday night

A significant turning point for the Pride was upon entering halftime against Manhattan with a 20-point lead, the Pride returned in the second half and did not surrender it. “I was proud they could get a lead and keep the nail in the coffin; they couldn’t do that last year,” said Coach Krista Kilburn-Steveskey.

While Connelly has had early success, it has yet to get to her head. In the victory over Manhattan, Joelle Connelly was still anxious even after scoring her second double-double in three games. “You can never be too comfortable,” said Connelly, “You always have to take it one game at a time and prepare for the next game.”

Another freshman force off the bench is Nicole Capurso. After a solid 12-point game against Manhattan, Kilburn-Steveskey also noted that Capurso’s scoring abilities have already impacted the rest of the team, saying, “She takes pressure off Sam [Brigham] and Natty [Fripp] and they didn’t have that last season so it’s been a big help.”

Since the home opener last week, Capurso had a solid game in the win over Southern Illinois where she came up with another 12 points. Another young player who came up big against Southern Illinois was sophomore Aamira Terry, who scored a career-high 16 points, 10 of which came in the second half.

The Pride takes the court again on Saturday at the University at Buffalo and returns home next Tuesday to face Maine at the Mack Sports Complex.