Wellesley Uses Big Second Half to Best Basketball, 55-42

WELLESLEY, Mass. (Jan. 30, 2010) – The Wellesley College women’s basketball team used a 14-0 second half run to help secure a 55-42 victory over New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) foe Mount Holyoke College this afternoon at the Keohane Sports Center. With the win, the Blue avenged a 61-57 overtime loss at Mount Holyoke on December 5.

Wellesley (6-11, 4-8 NEWMAC) was paced by first year Becca Kimball, who racked up 21 points and eight rebounds. The forward went 7-of-10 from the field and 6-of-8 from the charity stripe. She scored 19 of her points after the intermission. First year center Ashleigh Sargent posted 12 points, while classmate Malia Maier added eight points and six assists from the guard position. The Blue converted 42.9% (21-49) of their attempts from the field and outrebounded the Lyons 36-30.

Leading the charge for Mount Holyoke was sophomore guard Christine Chancy, who finished with 12 points and five assists. Classmate Tricia Chase registered eight points and 11 boards from the post. Meanwhile, senior forward Kate Shafir added nine points and six rebounds off the bench. Senior guard Erin Cain chipped in with eight points for the visitors, who shot 37.0% (20-54) from the floor.

Mount Holyoke never trailed in a first half that saw three ties. A jumper by Chancy put the Lyons in front 8-3 in the early going. The guests led 22-18 following a jumper by Olson at the 3:51 mark, but Wellesley tallied the final four points of the half to knot things up at 22-22. Martore led all scorers with seven points at the break. Olson and Chase had six apiece for Mount Holyoke.

After surrendering the first seven points of the second stanza, Wellesley erupted for a 14-0 run over the next six minutes to gain control of the contest. Kimball netted 10 points during the span, recording a conventional three point play, a pair of layups and a three pointer. Her layin at the 11:07 mark gave the Blue a 36-29 cushion. From there, Wellesley cruised, leading by as many as 15 points in the waning minutes.

Mount Holyoke (6-12, 4-7 NEWMAC) will return to action on Wednesday, when it hosts local rival Smith College for a league tilt beginning at 7:00 p.m.