Blue Basketball Outlasts Wheaton in Overtime, 48-44

NORTON, Mass. - Backed by 16 points from senior Pujita Shukla (Austin, Texas) Wellesley College basketball overcame Wheaton in a 48-44 overtime win in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) competition on Saturday at Emerson Gymnasium.

Shukla's 16 points and eight rebounds bolstered the Blue (8-14 Overall, 2-6 NEWMAC) and first year Arla Hofer (Las Vegas, Nev.) added 10 points and eight boards of her own. First year Regan Keyter (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) was the big scorer for the Lyons (12-12 Overall, 2-7 NEWMAC) with 19 points.

Shukla and Hofer each scored four for Wellesley in a very even opening period while Keyter and sophomore Abby Fernandes (Assonet, Mass.) provided the offense for the Lyons.

The second quarter saw the Blue dominant, outscoring the Lyons 10-2 and limiting Wheaton to 1-for-9 shooting. Wellesley went into the half with a seven-point 20-13 lead. Hofer had eight of her ten points in the first half to bolster the Blue's offense. 

After staying even early in the third, Wheaton cut the lead to three at 24-21 on a layup from Fernandes but Wellesley maintained a 32-28 lead after three with a three from junior Jiyun Chae (Chantilly, Va.).

Wheaton tied the game at 34-34 at 5:42 on a foul shot from Fernandes before taking the lead on a three from Keyter. Wellesley evened the game at 39-39 with 43 seconds remaining on a jumper from senior Rachel Shurberg (Fairfax, Va.). Neither team scored late as the game went to overtime.

After the Blue took a 44-41 lead Fernandes tied the game with three points of her own. A pair of made free throws from Shukla gave Wellesley a lead going into the final minute, and the Blue defense shut down the Lyons, sealing a 48-44 victory in favor of Wellesley. 

The Blue remain on the road next Wednesday at Clark while Wheaton travels to Mount Holyoke. Both teams play at 7:00 PM.