Basketball Silences Clark, 61-46
WORCESTER, MASS. (January 11, 2007) - The Clark University women's basketball team drops to 4-9 after a 61-45 setback to Mount Holyoke College in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action at the Kneller Athletic Center on Thursday night.
The Cougars remain winless in league play (0-2), while MHC improves to 10-4 overall and undefeated 3-0 in the NEWMAC.
Jillian Camilleri (Lancaster, Mass.) was the only double-figure scorer for Clark. The freshman forward notched a career-high 20 points and 15 rebounds for the Cougars.
First-year Jessica Olson (Gilbert, Ariz.) led Mount Holyoke with 14 points. Teammates Joeanna Silvey (Boston, Mass.), Marisa Barone (Ludlow, Mass.), and Erin Cain (Quincy, Mass.) each chipped in with 12 points.
Trailing early in the game, consecutive two-point baskets by sophomore Sarah Roderigue (Oakland, Maine.) and Camilleri brought Clark within one (9-10) at the 15:22 mark. A 9-2 run capped by Olson's jumper gave Mount Holyoke a 20-11 lead with 10:03 on the clock. Neither team scored over the next 5:51 until Cain drained a three to give the Lyons a 12-point edge (23-11) with 4:42 remaining. Mount Holyoke outscored Clark 4-2 within the final four minutes to take a 27-14 lead at the break. Camilleri had eight first half points for the Cougars.
Clark mounted a comeback in the second half, cutting the deficit to eight (23-31) on a trey by Roderigue at 12:39. The Lyons built a commanding 21-point lead (52-31), their largest of the game, late in the half. The Cougars rattled off eight straight points, fueled by a pair of free throws and two fast-break lay-ups from Camilleri to get within 13 (39-52) at the 4:14 mark, but that's as close as they would get.
Clark held a slim 42-38 advantage on the boards, but shot poorly from the field (27%). MHC shot 45.3% from the floor.
Clark will resume conference play when it faces Smith College on Saturday (1 p.m.) at the Kneller Athletic Center. Mount Holyoke will host Wheaton College that same day at 2 p.m.