Maier's 22 Points Lead Blue Basketball Over Springfield

WELLESLEY, Mass. – Senior Malia Maier recorded 22 points to lead the Wellesley College basketball team to a 60-46 victory over visiting Springfield College on Saturday afternoon in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) clash at Wellesley. The win improves the Blue to 2-3 overall, 1-1 in the NEWMAC, while the Pride dips to 1-4, 0-2 in NEWMAC play.

Maier matched a career-best in points, set in January of her rookie season against Wheaton. She also recorded six assists and five steals, game highs in both categories today.

The Blue recorded their highest offensive output of the season, thus far, breaking the 50- and 60-point barriers for the first time in 2012-13. Wellesley shot 36% for the game (21-59), but hit eight threes, including six from Maier to seal the victory. Springfield out-rebounded the Blue 43-30, but was hampered by 30 turnovers in the loss.

Wellesley opened the game on an 11-4 run, backed by two three-pointers from Maier and one from Meghan Sargent. Springfield climbed back into the game, using a Jamie Bickelhaupt jumper to narrow the Wellesley advantage to five, with 12:53 to play in the half.

Wellesley forged on, putting together a 14-5 run over the next eight minutes to extending its lead to 15 points. Another three from Maier set the score to 25-11 with 4:46 on the clock. Springfield would close the half outscoring the Blue, 10-8, including a three from Briana Freymuth, but Wellesley held on, carrying a 33-21 lead at the break.

At the half, Meghan Sargent led the Blue with 10 points, while Maier added nine points and four assists. Springfield was paced by nine points from Tamara Tribble and nine boards from Emily Walker.

After back-and-forth play to open up the second half, Wellesley again gained control, extending their lead to 19 points on two free throws from Courtney Jackson with 10:34 remaining. The visitors went on a mini-run to close the gap to 14 on two occasions, but a sixth Maier three increased the Blue's advantage to 54-37 with 7:14 on the clock.

Springfield cut the lead to 12 points (58-46) on an Emily Taylor jumper with 3:41 to play, but could get no closer as Wellesley wrapped up the victory with stingy defense and Natalie Anderson lay-up to set the final to 60-46 in favor of the Blue.

Backing up Maier's 22-point, six-assist, five-steal performance, Meghan Sargent finished with 10 points and three assists. Ashleigh Sargent recorded a team-high nine rebounds to go along with five points, while Morgyne Weaver and Jackson each tallied six points. Rounding out the box score, Anderson added five points and five boards.

Springfield was paced by Jaimie Bickelhaupt who contributed 12 points and six rebounds off the bench. Tribble finished the game with a near double-double, recording nine points and nine rebounds. Also for the Pride, Taylor tallied seven points, while Walker ended the afternoon with a game-high 13 rebounds to go along with five points.

Both teams continue NEWMAC play on Tuesday at 7:00pm. Wellesley travels to Babson College, while Springfield hosts Smith.