Leong and Weaver Lead Wellesley Basketball Past Coast Guard

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Sophomore Leslie Leong and first-year Morgyne Weaver combined for 32 points as Wellesley College picked up a 61-39 victory over visiting Coast Guard in NEWMAC women's basketball action on Wednesday night. The win evens Wellesley's season mark to 7-7, 6-3 in conference play, while the Bears fall to 5-8, 1-8 in the NEWMAC.

Coming off a career night against WPI, Leong followed Saturday's performance by recording game-highs of 18 points and eight rebounds in tonight's contest. Weaver was impressive off the bench once again, pouring in 16 points and adding six boards. Meanwhile, the Blue held Coast Guard to just 30% shooting, while causing 27 Bears turnovers. 

Wellesley held a slim lead midway through the first half, as the low-scoring affair saw three ties in the opening 10 minutes, with neither team taking more than a four point advantage. The Blue held an 11-10 edge with 10:22 on the clock, before putting together a 13-0 run in the next three minutes to open up a 24-10 lead. Senior Elisha Orama and junior Ashleigh Sargent each contributed five points during the Blue run. 

Coast Guard battled back to get the game within 10, as sophomore Alexa Hunko recorded three points to set the score to 27-17 with 2:52 to play in the half. Wellesley, however, went into the break holding a 31-19 lead.

The Bears came out of the locker room with a 7-1 run, cutting the Wellesley lead to 32-26 at 16:04. Once again, though, the Blue responded with a 17-4 run, capped by a Leong lay-up to give Wellesley a 49-30 advantage with 6:55 to play. The closest Coast Guard would get over the final minutes was 14 points, as first-year Brittney Zimmerman hit a three to make it 52-38, but Wellesley again pulled away for the 61-39 victory.  

Led by Leong and Weaver's 32 points, the Blue also got a solid game from junior Malia Maier who recorded six points, six steals and five assists. Ashleigh Sargent added a seven point effort for Wellesley, while Orama and first-year Courtney Jackson each scored five.

Coast Guard sophomore Larla Brown led a balanced offense for the Bears, tallying a team-high eight points, as eight different Coast Guard players broke into the scoring column.  Zimmerman contributed seven points on the night, while first-year Jamie Waterman scored six, while adding six boards. First-year Victoria Gurtler rounded out the box score for the Bears with five points and a team-high seven rebounds. 

Wellesley returns to action on Saturday traveling to Mount Holyoke at 1:00pm. Coast Guard hosts #20 Babson on Saturday, also at 1:00pm.