Basketball Pulls Away From Clark, 57-38

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Feb. 6, 2010) – With senior guard Erin Cain and sophomore forward Tricia Chase leading the way, the Mount Holyoke College women’s basketball team cruised to a 57-38 victory over Clark University this afternoon at the Kneller Athletic Center. With the win, the Lyons snapped a four game slide and completed the season sweep of their New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) counterparts.

Mount Holyoke converted 37.9% (22-58) of its shots from the field and 88.9% (8-9) of its free throw attempts. The Lyons drained five shots from beyond the arc and outrebounded Clark 47-41. Cain finished with a game best 16 points, while Chase added 14 points and seven boards. First year guard Angelica Pascual recorded eight points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, senior forward Jess Olson added seven points and eight boards.

Clark (4-17, 3-11 NEWMAC) was limited to just 22.2% (14-63) shooting from the floor, including 11.8% (2-17) from three point range. Senior forward Jillian Camilleri posted eight point, and three other Cougars chipped in with six.

Neither side led by more than four points in a first half that saw three ties and four lead changes. A layup by Camilleri put Clark in front 19-15 at the 4:37 mark, but Mount Holyoke ran off the next seven points to take a 22-19 edge into the locker room. Chase led all scorers with six points at the break.

In the second half, it was all Mount Holyoke. The Lyons never trailed after the intermission, as they extended their cushion to 19 points at the final buzzer. They outscored the Cougars 19-5 over a span of 11 minutes to pull away. Cain sparked the rally with seven points on a three pointer and two jumpers.

Mount Holyoke (7-14, 5-9 NEWMAC) will return to action on Wednesday, when it hosts WPI for a NEWMAC tilt beginning at 7:00 p.m.