For
Immediate Release – Jan. 9, 2007
WELLESLEY BASKETBALL
Courtesy of Wheaton Sports Information
Wellesley Suffers 73-56 to Wheaton
BOX SCORE
NORTON, Mass. – Wellesley College dropped its second straight New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) game as the Blue fell to Wheaton College, 73-56 on Tuesday night. The Lyons improved to 7-5 on the season and 2-0 in conference play, while Wellesley is now 3-8 and 0-2 in the NEWMAC.
Senior Kim McCormack (Milton, Mass./Milton) and junior Becky Aitchison (Norwalk, Conn./Trinity Catholic) combined for Wheaton's first eight points to give the Lyons an early 8-4 advantage with 15:49 to go in the opening half. The hosts extended their lead to 14-6 at 13:22 before Wellesley scored eight unanswered points to knot the game for the second time. However, the Lyons responded with nine straight points for a 23-14 edge at 7:21.
The visitors pulled to within four with just over six minutes remaining in the half, but the Lyons outscored the Blue, 22-10 during a 5:21 span for a commanding 45-29 advantage. Wellesley scored the final four points of the stanza, as Wheaton took a 45-33 lead into the locker room. McCormack finished the frame with eight points and nine rebounds for the Lyons. Wheaton held a 25-13 rebounding advantage, including 12 boards on the offensive glass, while committing just five turnovers.
Wheaton came out of the intermission strong, using an 11-4 run for a 56-37 cushion at 13:45. Seven straight Lyon points by sophomore Krystin Hickey (Manchester, N.H./New Hampton School) provided Wheaton with its biggest lead of the game at 70-49 with 6:01 left. The two teams traded threes before Wellesley scored the last four points of the game. The Lyons finished the contest with a 39-26 edge on the boards while assisting on 20 of their 30 field goals. Wheaton was also a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line.
The Lyons had six players score at least eight points, with Hickey's game-best 19 markers leading the way. She went 8-of-13 from the field with a game-best five steals, career-high-tying five assists and five rebounds. Aitchison had 12 points, seven boards and a game-high-tying six assists. McCormack finished the contest with her first-half totals, while sophomores Jennie Pleat (Nashua, N.H./Nashua South) and Bri Smith (Westford, Mass./Westford Academy), and first-year Jenny Champney (Bedford, Mass./Bedford) each had eight points.
Sophomore Jessica Duff (Milton, England/Saline) and first-year Katie Martore (Great Falls, VA/The Potomac School) turned in 13 points apiece for Wellesley. Duff added six rebounds with a team-high four steals, while Martore dished out six assists.
Wellesley remains on the road this week, as the Blue is slated to face Babson at 7 p.m. Thursday evening.
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