BOSTON, Mass. – The Mount Holyoke College basketball team shouldered a narrow 52-48 loss at Emerson College in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Saturday afternoon. With the win the Lions are now 5-7 overall and 2-6 in conference play while MHC falls to 4-9 on the year and 1-7 in the NEWMAC.

It was an all-out team effort highlighted by Kristen Brice's nine points, 12 boards and six rebounds and Catherine Cloutier's recorded a team-leading 11 points.

The first half saw Emerson turn up the defense to force 13 MHC turnovers for 11 points while EC's Elizabeth Horan led the floor with eight points, shooting 50% from beyond the arc. The bench played integral for the Lions as well as they came out to put up 14 points as Emerson headed into the break up nine, 25-16.

The Lyons were scrappy though in the second half as they battled back to make a close game of it with Amber Legare exploding for 13 points in the half to lead the floor and MHC back into the game. She finished with a game-high 18 points.

Cloutier was huge in the second half as she put up nine points and was followed in suit by Kelsey Johnson with eight. EC's offense stepped up overall as they doubled their shooting percentage to 44%, this time with their forwards doing work with 12 points in the paint to close out the 52-48 win.

In addition to Legare, who also had nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals, the Lyons saw junior captain Kate Karraker chip in 13 points with six rebounds, three steals, a block and five assists. Junior Nicole DeMarchena recorded a team-high 11 rebounds, while also chipping in two blocks.

Emerson returns to action on Wednesday when they host Clark at 7pm. Mount Holyoke is also in action on Wednesday for a 7pm contest at Springfield.

Story courtesy of Emerson Athletic Media Relations.