Basketball Falls to Wheaton in NEWMAC Opener, 58-40

Game Statistics

NORTON, Mass. (Jan. 7, 2009) – Senior forward Krystin Hickey racked up 17 points and five rebounds to push the Wheaton College women’s basketball team to a 58-40 triumph over visiting Mount Holyoke College this evening at the Emerson Gymnasium. It was the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener for both squads.

Despite shooting just 33.3% (19-57) from the field, Wheaton collected its third straight win over Mount Holyoke. The hosts finished with a 42-33 edge on the glass and converted 66.7% (16-24) of their free throw attempts. Senior guard Bri Smith tallied ten points, while junior guard Andrea Bailey and first year forward Gabbie DePalo added seven points and seven boards apiece. Bailey also chipped in with a game best six assists.

A pair of players reached double digits in the scoring column for Mount Holyoke, which suffered its fourth loss in a row. First year forward Emma Washauer led the way with 12 points. Junior guard Erin Cain posted ten points and a team high seven rebounds, while senior guard Katie Austen chipped in with eight points and six boards. The guests turned the ball over 23 times and were limited to 30.0% (15-50) shooting from the floor.

Wheaton (7-5, 1-0 NEWMAC) scored the first seven points of the contest and led 10-7 at the 11:07 mark of the opening frame. The hosts expanded their cushion to 27-17 at the break.

They led 39-21 midway through the second half, but Mount Holyoke sliced the deficit to 41-29 on a three pointer by Cain with 7:39 remaining in regulation.

From there, it was all Wheaton. The home team responded with a 10-1 run over the next three minutes to put things out of reach. Smith amassed five points during the spurt. Her layup at the 4:22 mark put her team in front 51-30. Wheaton’s 21 point cushion was its largest of the night.

Mount Holyoke (2-10, 0-1 NEWMAC) will return to action on Saturday, when it hosts Clark University for a league game beginning at 2:00 p.m.