Seven in a Row for Blue Basketball; Wellesley Tops Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The Wellesley College basketball team won their seventh-straight game, picking up a 48-38 reoad victory at Springfield College on Saturday afternoon in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play in Blake Arena on Saturday. The Blue improve to 10-6, 9-3 in league play, while the Pride's record drops to 3-15, 1-11.

Springfield took early control of the game, seizing a 7-2 lead on a jumper by Heather Lewis.  Wellesley responded with the game's next six points to take their first lead of the game on a jumper from the wing by Courtney Jackson at a 11:07 mark.

An inside bucket from Jaimie Bickelhaupt the next time down the floor put the Pride back on top, as it would hold the lead for the majority of the first half. However, after another Lewis jumper put the hosts up 17-14 with 3:54 on the clock, the Blue closed out the half on a 8-1 spurt, capped off by a well executed inbounds play in which Malia Maier found Leslie Leong in the final seconds.

Despite making just five baskets in the opening 20 minutes of play, the Pride found themselves trailing by just four, 22-18, heading into the half.

The Blue continued its strong play to start the second half, extending its lead to 29-20 following a layup by Chelsi Scott at the 15:53 mark. Springfield responded with some gritty play, putting together a 7-0 burst to get within two with 12:30 to play. Bickelhaupt provided a pair of jumpers in the run to pace the Pride's resurgence.

After the visitors lead expanded back to five on a Leong layup with 7:40 on the clock, Meghan Biondolillo drilled a three from the left corner to get Springfield back within two at 34-32.

Over the next 5:21, Wellesley scored eight unanswered points to take a commanding 42-32 advantage with just 2:04 left in regulation. Maier canned a deep three which ultimately proved to be the capstone on the run.

Springfield got as close as five on a put-back bucket from Bickelhaupt with 42 ticks on the clock, but the Blue hit four free throws down the stretch and added a Maier fastbreak bucket en route to the 10-point victory.

Both Lewis and Bickelhaupt scored a team-best eight points for the Pride, while Biondolillo and Riley Fake each tacked on six points. Tamara Tribble and Emily Walker each hauled in eight boards and Andrea Moschetta collected three steals.

Maier led all scorers with 13 points, on 5-of-11 shooting, including nailing three from beyond the arc. She rounded out her stat sheet with six rebounds, five assists and five steals. Scott added eight points and six boards off the bench, and Leong contribute seven points and seven caroms.

For the game, Springfield shot just 13-for-53 (24.5%), but held a 46-43 advantage on the glass. Wellesley finished the afternoon shooting 18-for-57 (31.6%), however outscored the hosts 22-12 in the paint.

Both teams continue their NEWMAC schedule on Wednesday at 7:00pm. Wellesley will play host to crosstown-rival Babson, while Springfield travels up I-91 to battle Smith.