Babson Stifles Wellesley Basketball, 77-49

WELLESLEY, Mass. - Senior Samantha Smith (Greenfield, Mass.) had a double-double to lead Babson to a decisive 77-49 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) win over Wellesley College basketball at Dorothy Towne Fieldhouse on Wednesday.

In addition to Smith with 12 points and 12 rebounds, the Beavers (19-3 Overall, 6-1 NEWMAC) were helped by 15 points and four steals from senior Megan Bauman (East Lyme, Conn.) as well as 12 points and eight rebounds from junior Madison Odam (San Jose, Calif.). Junior Jiyun Chae (Chantilly, Va.) was the game's leading scorer with 16 points for the Blue (7-14 Overall, 1-6 NEWMAC).

The Beavers controlled a 20-6 first quarter behind a combined 14 points from Smith and Bauman. Smith dominated the paint with five rebounds and two blocks in the quarter while Chae scored five points with a three pointer for the Blue.

Wellesley cut the gap down to 13 at 27-14 on a pair of made free throws from first year Shannon Li (Los Altos, Calif.). The Blue outscored Babson 15-13 in the second with a late three from Chae helping Wellesley trail by only 12 at the half, 33-21.

Babson exploded offensively with 32 points on 68.4% (13-for-19) shooting in the third quarter. Five different players hit threes for the Beavers in the quarter with Bauman and sophomore Katelyn Mollica (Foxborough, Mass.) each hitting two. 

Wellesley never got the game back within 20 in the fourth as the Beavers closed out a 77-49 game. Senior Pujita Shukla (Austin, Texas) played aggressively down low for Wellesley taking 12 foul shots in the game for the Blue including several in the fourth.

Both teams are on the road Saturday with Wellesley against Wheaton at 1:00 PM and the Beavers taking on Smith at 2:00 PM.