Basketball Christens Gracia Mangano Martore ’73 Court with 52-45 Win Over MHC

WELLESLEY, Mass. — Wellesley College basketball rallied from a four-point halftime deficit to defeat visiting Mount Holyoke College, 52-45, in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon at Dorothy Towne Fieldhouse. 

Playing in their first game on the newly christened Gracia Mangano Martore '73 Court, named for the donor whose generous contributions made the new playing surface a reality, Wellesley improved to 7-15 on the season and 4-10 in conference play. Mount Holyoke drops to 6-17 and 4-10 in NEWMAC contests.

Wellesley senior Morgyne Weaver (Oklahome City, Okla.) scored a game-high 22 point on 9-of-17 shooting from the floor. Weaver finished as the only Wellesley player in double-figures, also grabbing seven rebounds. Junior Chelsi Scott (Portland, Mich.) chipped in with nine points and a team-high eight rebounds, as the Blue held a 38-27 advantage on the boards. Ailis Hanley (Cranston, R.I.) also added eight points for the Blue, along with four rebounds, and a pair of blocks. 

Mount Holyoke senior Amber Legare (Chicopee, Mass.) collected a team-high 18 point and nine rebounds to lead the Lyons. Legare also added a pair of steals, a block and an assist in the contest. Senior Kate Karraker (Morgantown, W.V.) added eight points, six rebounds and a pair of assists. 

Wellesley opened the contest on a 7-2 run, leading until 10:36 of the first when Nicole Demarchena (Miami, Fla.) knocked down a three to give Mount Holyoke its first advantage since the opening basket of the game.

The Blue were quick to counter, as Hanley knotted the score at 13-all just over a minute later. The teams exchanged baskets over the next eight minutes of play before Mount Holyoke was finally able to gain separation, when Legare and first year Carmen Huang (Brooklyn, N.Y.) knocked down back-to-back buckets at the end of the half. 

Weaver was the story in the second half, as the senior forward scored 16 of her 22 points after the break to help the Blue overcome the Lyons' 23-19 halftime lead. The Blue took their first advantage since the opening half at 11:02 of the second when Weaver hit a layup while being fouled. She then knocked down the free throw to give Wellesley a 33-31 lead. 

Mount Holyoke countered with a 6-0 run, capped by a jumper from Legare at 9:18, retaking the lead 37-33. However, the Lyons four-point advantage would also be their final advantage, as a 7-0 Wellesley run put the Blue up 40-37 with 7:49 left in regulation. 

The visitors continued to hang around in the closing minutes of the second, cutting the Blue margin to two points on three different occasions, before Wellesley was able to take its largest lead of the game, at 50-43, when Hanley made a pair of free throws with 1:04 remaining. From there, Wellesley closed out the 52-45 victory. 

Both teams will continue NEWMAC play on Wednesday. Wellesley will take on MIT at 6:00 PM in Cambridge, Mass, while Mount Holyoke will host Springfield at 7:00 PM.