Wellesley Advances To NEWMAC Final

SPRINGFIELD, MA - It's a rematch fit for Foxwoods.

While it may not have the glamour of a heavyweight title fight, it certainly has the potential to be one of the finest Division III women's basketball games the New England Region has seen this season.

Wellesley College, behind a 13-point performance from junior point guard Kate Lyren, defeated Babson College, 63-54, Friday evening at Springfield College in the NEWMAC semifinals, setting up a showdown with the No. 1 seed and tournament host.

Wellesley (16-7), the No. 3 seed, will play Springfield this afternoon at 4 p.m. for the right to represent the NEWMAC in the NCAA Division III Championship. Babson (18-9) now awaits word on an ECAC New England Championship bid. Springfield (23-3) defeated No. 5 WPI, 66-57, in the first semifinal.

Last year at this time, Springfield came to Towne Field House and dealt Wellesley a 52-51 defeat to earn the NCAA bid. Wellesley, which earned an at-large bid in 2000, is looking for its second trip to The Big Dance in three years and it's first of the automatic variety.

While the opponent has not changed, the tournament stage has, and Wellesley head coach Kathy Hagerstrom certainly knows that.

"No doubt, we have our backs against the wall," she said. "We put a lot into this game emotionally."

Earlier this season, Springfield defeated Wellesley, 48-44 at Towne Field House, marking two straight wins over Wellesley by a total of five points.

"Springfield has a way of pulling out close games," Hagerstrom said. "We just have to play loose."

Wellesley opened Friday's game on a 12-4 run and extended its advantage to 32-17, its largest lead of the game, with 3:30 remaining in the first half after a three-point play by Lyren. Babson, which trashed Wellesley, 57-34, just 10 days ago, closed the half on an 8-2 run and kept itself in the ballgame, down 34-25.

Junior Ingrid Miller can be credited with keeping Babson in the game, even when it appeared Wellesley was ready to take its ball and run with it. Miller, who scored 17 points, posted 13 in the first half alone.

Conversely, Lyren can take credit for a fair share of Wellesley's success. Lyren was solid all around, passing out four assists and grabbing five rebounds in addition to her team-high point total.

"Kate totally had control of this game as a point guard," Hagerstrom said. "It's by far her best game and that's saying something because she's had some really good games."

Babson, which also trailed in the second half in its quarterfinal win over Clark Tuesday evening, chipped away throughout the second half, closing the gap to 57-54 with 1:08 to play after a basket by junior Patricia Leahy.

The defining moment of the game came with 33 seconds remaining. Wellesley first-year Erin Johnson dove the lane and kicked it out to junior Christine Carbonello, who buried an 18-foot jumper as the shot clock expired to seal the win and a berth in today's final.

Carbonello finished with 10 points, while first-year Kristin Doeberl recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Wellesley, which shot 44.9 percent from the field, outrebounded Babson, 42-28, including a 13-10 edge on the offensive glass. Junior Kelly Grover joined Doeberl on the boards, grabbing eight. Miller, who was all over the floor for Babson, paced the Beavers with nine rebounds.

Today, the heavyweight is the home team, its 23 wins and five seniors. The underdog is the visitor, which sports 16 wins and six first-years. There are no title belts involved, just a trip to the pinnacle of Division III women's basketball.