COLCHESTER, VT. – On Saturday afternoon, Pace University Women's Basketball matched Saint Michael's College shot for shot through the opening 20 minutes and carried offensive momentum into halftime, but a decisive third-quarter run by the Purple Knights shifted control in a 77–68 Northeast 10 Conference decision. The loss moves the Setters to 6–18 overall and 2–13 in Northeast 10 Conference play.

Pace established rhythm early and attacked from the perimeter. Cali Chiocchi opened the scoring with a layup for a 2–0 lead, and Ciara Collins buried a three to make it 5–3. Anisa Akinola scored inside to extend the edge to 7–3, and LyNeta Brand knocked down two free throws to push the margin to 9–6. Claire Fitzpatrick provided a spark off the bench, drilling a three at the 5:33 mark to stretch the lead to 14–9 before Collins connected again from deep to make it 17–11. Akinola finished in transition to build a 19–14 advantage, and Fitzpatrick's late triple gave Pace a 24–19 edge before Saint Michael's hit a buzzer-beater to tie the game at 24–24 after one.

Saint Michael's gained momentum in the second quarter, building a 33–28 lead midway through the frame. Akinola answered with a layup to trim the deficit to 32–37, and Collins scored in the paint to make it 34–37. Ciera Cevallos added a late jumper to keep the Setters within 40–36 at halftime.

The Purple Knights seized control in the third. Saint Michael's extended the lead to 48–38 early and later used a 12–2 run to stretch the margin to 60–48 with under three minutes remaining. Collins attacked twice to pull Pace within 48–44 before the surge, but turnovers and transition baskets allowed Saint Michael's to carry a 64–51 advantage into the fourth.

Pace continued to compete down the stretch. Fitzpatrick buried a three to make it 54–64, Akinola finished inside to cut it to 56–66, and Collins drilled another triple to trim the deficit to 59–68. Cevallos converted a three-point play to bring Pace within 73–65, and Fitzpatrick added a free throw to make it 66–73. Collins scored once more to cut it to 68–77, but Saint Michael's sealed the win at the line.

Collins led Pace with 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting, while Fitzpatrick added 20 points, including five three-pointers. Akinola contributed 14 points and six rebounds as the Setters shot 44 percent from beyond the arc.

The Blue and Gold return to the court on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. for a match-up against the top team in the conference, Bentley University.