Wesleyan (Conn.) Rallies To Top Wellesley Basketball, 43-38

NEWTON, Mass. -- Wesleyan University senior Dreisen Heath (New Haven, Conn.) scored a game-high 16 points to lead the Cardinals to a 43-38 comeback victory over host Wellesley College basketball on Tuesday evening at the Lasell College Athletic Center. Wesleyan improves to 7-8 overall with the non-conference victory, while the Blue drop to 5-11 on the year. 

Heath knocked down the biggest basket of the game in the closing moments of regulation, scoring on a layup with 16 seconds remaining to give the Cardinals a three-point advantage at 41-38. She finished as the only Wesleyan player in double-figures while also grabbing five rebounds and three steals. Danielle Gervacio (Ossining, N.Y.) chipped in with six points off the bench, while senior Kaylie Williams (Danville, Calif.) grabbed a team-high seven rebounds to help the Cardinals win back-to-back games for the third time this season. 

Wellesley senior Morgyne Weaver (Oklahoma City, Okla.) scored a team-high 12 points for the Blue. Weaver also grabbed five rebounds to go along with a pair of steals and an assist. Classmate Natalie Anderson (Bellevue, Wash.) added seven points on 3-of-6 shooting from the floor. Junior Chelsi Scott (Portland, Mich.) and first year Kayla Jang (South Pasadena, Calif.) each added five points, while sophomore Ailis Hanely (Cranston, R.I.) grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. 

Wesleyan opened up an early lead in the game, as a layup from Cherkia Lashley (Brooklyn, N.Y.) gave the visitors a 9-3 advantage five minutes in. Back-to-back Blue baskets from Weaver and first year Chelsea Brown (San Jose, Calif.) came as part of a 10-3 run, as Wellesley cut the deficit to two before eventually tying the game at 13-all with 8:12 left before the half.  

The Blue led for the remainder of the half, as Anderson, Hanley and senior Meghan Sargent (Bedford, N.H.) all knocked down shots to help the Blue take a 19-15 advantage into the break.

Wesleyan scored five of the first six points following halftime, tying the score at 20-20 when Heath knocked down a pair of free throws just under three minutes into the second. 

The Blue countered with an 8-0 run, taking a 28-20 lead on a layup from Jang with 14:50 to play. Wellesley would stretch the lead one-point farther, taking their largest lead of the contest at 13:36 of the second when Jang nailed a three-pointer to make the score 31-22. However, the Cardinals responded with a 12-2 run over the next four minutes of play, roaring back to take a 34-33 advantage. 

Wellesley would briefly regain the lead, at 35-34, following a pair of free-throws from Scott at 8:29. However, Wesleyan would hold the Blue to just three points for the remainder of the half, as they used a 9-3 run to close out the 43-38 victory. 

Both teams will return to conference action on Saturday. Wellesley will play Coast Guard in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) contest at 1:00 PM. Meanwhile. Wesleyan will host Conn. College at 3:00 PM in NESCAC play.