Babson Runs Past Wellesley Basketball, 64-34

BABSON PARK, Mass. – Senior Ailis Hanley (Cranston, R.I.) scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds but Wellesley College basketball dropped a 64-34 decision to crosstown rival Babson College in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play on Wednesday night at Staake Gymnasium.

Babson improves to 6-1 on the season, and 3-0 in conference play, with their fifth consecutive victory. Wellesley is now 3-4 on the year and remains winless in NEWMAC action (0-3). 

Senior Taylor Russell (Braintree, Mass.) and junior Brenna LeGacy (Attleboro, Mass.) each scored 15 points to lead the Beavers. Russell added seven rebounds, while senior Giovanna Pickering (Hull, Mass.) tallied 10 points, eight assists, seven boards and four steals. Classmate Jennifer Narlee (Medfield, Mass.) finished with a game-high 10 rebounds. 

Wellesley first years Kendall You Mak (San Francisco, Calif.) and Keer Sun (Pine Brook, N.J.) each chipped in with seven points apiece, with You Mak adding a team-high six rebounds. Sun added four boards, one assist, one steal and a block in 21 minutes of action. 

Babson got out to 14-7 lead following a first quarter in which both teams struggles to find a rhythm from the floor. Babson stretched the advantage to 18-9 in the opening five minutes of the second quarter, but a pair of Blue triples from Caitlin Aguirre (El Paso, Texas) and sophomore Zojajha Ayub (Belle Mead, N.J.) cut the Wellesley deficit to 20-15 with 4:37 to play before the half. However, the Beavers closed out the half on a 12-0 run to take a 17-point lead, 32-15, at the break.  

The Beavers held the Blue to just four points in the third quarter, holding Wellesley scoreless for the final 7:24 of the frame while taking their largest lead of the game when Pickering closed out the 21-4 run with a free throw to make the score 53-19. Legacy scored eight of her 15 points in the quarter, while Pickering added four. Wellesley countered with 15 fourth quarter points, outscoring the hosts 15-11, but Babson closed out the 64-34 win. 

Babson outscored Wellesley 26-0 in the paint and had a 51-28 edge on the glass. The Beavers shot just 36.1% (22-of-61) on the night, while holding the Blue to just 21.1% (12-of-57) shooting from the floor.

Wellesley will host UMass Dartmouth on Thursday, December 29, at 1:00 PM. Babson will play Emory & Henry at 2:00 PM on December 20 in Daytona Beach, Fla.