SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Dec. 6, 2011) – Sophomore guard Emily Reilly racked up 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor to boost the Clark University basketball team to a 70-59 victory over NEWMAC foe Mount Holyoke College this evening at the Mildred S. Howard Gymnasium. After a tight first half, the Cougars pulled away with a 15-4 run over the first six minutes of the second. With the win, they remained perfect in league play.

Four players reached double digits in the scoring column for Mount Holyoke, which converted 33.3% (23-69) of its shots from the field and 71.4% (10-14) of its free throw attempts. Senior forward Tricia Chase set the tone for the Lyons with 15 points, six rebounds and four steals. The hosts also solid production from first year forward Amber Legare, who recorded her first career double-double on 12 points and 12 boards. Guards Angelica Pascual and Annabel Barrett chipped in with 13 points apiece.

Neither side led by more than six points in a first half that saw three ties and seven lead changes.

Mount Holyoke enjoyed a 23-17 advantage following a layup by Chase at the 8:37 mark, but Clark responded with a 13-3 burst over the next four minutes to gain control. Junior forward Kelsey Giedymin capped off the rally with three straight baskets, including a three-pointer that put the Cougars in front 30-26 with 4:37 remaining in the opening period.

Refusing to go away, the Lyons scored the next six points to regain the lead. They took a 36-35 edge into the locker room after a layup by sophomore forward Jennine Vizcaino.

Pascual led all scorers with 11 points at the break. Giedymin had nine for the visitors.

Clark exploded out of the gate in the second half, outscoring the Lyons 15-4 over the first six minutes. A layup by sophomore guard Ashleigh Condon put the Cougars in front 50-40 at the 14:05 mark. Reilly sparked the run with six points on a three-pointer and a conventional three-point play.

Mount Holyoke sliced the deficit to four on two occasions down the stretch, but it was not enough. Chase led the Lyons with nine points after the intermission.

Condon finished the game with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Sophomore forward Megan Grondin posted 11 points, while Giedymin added nine. As a team, Clark knocked down 45.2% (28-62) of its shots from the field and piled up eight blocks. Reilly was a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. She scored 15 of her 20 points in the second half.

Both squads will resume their NEWMAC schedules this weekend. Mount Holyoke (1-6, 0-3 NEWMAC) will visit MIT on Saturday at 2:00 p.m., while Clark (5-2, 3-0 NEWMAC) will host Wellesley College on Friday at 6:00 p.m.

Photos by Leila Quinn '12