Orama Nets Career-High in Loss to Wheaton

NORTON, Mass. – Wellesley first-year Elisha Orama (Miramar, FL) scored a career-high 16 points, but it wasn't enough as the Blue fell to Wheaton College, 64-49 in a NEWMAC match-up on Saturday afternoon.  The win improves Wheaton to 10-7 overall with a 4-1 mark in conference play.  Wellesley falls to 7-6 and 2-4 in the NEWMAC.

A slow start for both teams saw the score knotted at 8-8 with nine minute to play in the first half.  However, a 14-5 run from Wheaton put the Lyons ahead 22-13 with 3:40 left in the half. Wellesley's Orama hit a three to narrow the Wheaton advantage to five, but the Blue would get no closer before the break with the score 26-16 in favor of the Lyons at halftime. 

Wheaton started the second half strong, taking a 17-point lead (37-20) at the 14-minute mark, backed by six points from senior Krystin Hickey. Wellesley battled back to within 12 points with six minutes to play in the game, but Wheaton was solid down the stretch and pulled out the 64-49 win.

For Wheaton, Bri Smith lead all scorers with 18 points to go along with four assists and four steals. Jennie Pleat finished with 16 points and seven rebounds while Hickey recorded a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) and Ida Kruse also added 10 points.

Orama's 16 points led the Blue while seniors Jessica Duff (Milton, Abington, UK) and Julia Thomas (Concord, CA) each contributed 11 points. Duff completed the double-double with a game-high 11 boards while Thomas pulled down nine rebounds.

Both teams are back in action on Wednesday evening at 7:00pm.  Wheaton will play host to MIT in a NEWMAC match-up while Wellesley will host non-conference opponent, Lasell College.