Wellesley Basketball Downs Plymouth State, 54-37

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- The Wellesley College basketball team picked up its first win of the 2013-14 season, with a 54-37 victory over Plymouth State University in the consolation game at the Vassar College Tip-Off Tournament. The Blue now move to 1-1 on the season, while the Panthers dip to 0-2. 

Wellesley had four players finish in double figures, led by a 16-point effort from All-Tournament selection, Meghan Sargent. Junior Morgyne Weaver finished with 14 points and seven rebounds while senior Leslie Leong had 10 points, nine rebounds, and four steals. 

Also for the Blue, sophomore Chelsi Scott rattled off 10 points and three steals, while senior Katie Shulenberger pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds. First-year Ailis Hanley also played well, pulling down seven boards. 

Plymouth State was led by Kait Deering's 11 points, while All-Tournament selection Taylor Perry added eight. Bry Bennett recorded a six-point, six-rebound effort, while Krystin Corliss added five points and five boards for the Panthers.

The game started close, with neither team leading by more than three points in the first 11 minutes. Wellesley had an early 12-9 edge on a Sargent lay-up at 12:23, but Plymouth State responded with a three from Kristen Hrubowchak to knot it at 12-12. 

After the Panther three, Wellesley began to pull away, putting together a 7-2 run to make it 19-14 with just over six to play. Plymouth State answered back, however, as a pair of Perry free-throws brought it back to within three at 19-16 with 5:35 left in the half.

Wellesley responded with another long run, outscoring the Panthers 12-3 over the final five minutes of play. The Blue were helped by a string of Plymouth State fouls, shooting nine free-throws down the stretch, taking a 31-19 lead at the break.

At the half, Sargent and Weaver each had 10 points for the Blue, while Perry had eight points for Plymouth.

The Panthers scored the first five points of the second half, keeping the Blue off the board for five minutes and cutting the lead to 31-24 on a three from Deasia Lawrence. A lay-up from Leong broke the ice for the Blue, and Wellesley went on a 7-2 run to make it 41-26 midway through the half.

Plymouth State cut the lead to 41-30 on a conventional three-point play from Kait Deering at 9:09, but again Wellesley responded and that was as close as the Panthers would come. The Blue ended the game on a 14-7 run, wrapping up the 54-37 victory.

Wellesley is back in action at home on Wednesday, hosting Simmons College at 7:00pm. Plymouth State returns to the hardwood on Tuesday, traveling to the New Hampshire Technical Institute to play Rivier at 6:00pm.