Springfield Tops Blue Basketball in Regular Season Finale

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore Kayla Jang (South Pasadena, Calif.) scored a career-high 21 points but Wellesley College basketball dropped an 85-39 decision to host Springfield College in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) regular season finale for both teams on Saturday afternoon at Blake Arena.

Springfield moves to 16-9 on the season and 10-6 in NEWMAC play and will await word on seeding for the conference tournament. The NEWMAC Championship tournament is set to begin on Wednesday, February 24. 

Jang knocked down five three-pointers in the game, also adding a team-high six rebounds and two assists. Senior Chelsi Scott (Portland, Mich.) chipped in with nine points and five boards, while junior Ailis Hanley (Cranston, R.I.) recorded eight points for the Blue.

Four Springfield College players finished in double-figures, paced by 18 points from first year Gracie Restituyo (Jersey City, N.J.). Restituyo also added 11 boards, while seniors Emily Gins (Fort Myers, Fla.) and Heather Lewis (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) scored 17 and 16 points, respectively. Sophomore forward Heather King (Lebanon, N.H.) had 16 points and six rebounds. 

With Wellesley leading, 8-7, following a triple from Jang at 5:47 of the first, Springfield closed out the quarter on a 13-0 run to take a 20-8 advantage.

The hosts extended the run to 21-0 in the opening minutes of the second quarter, when a layup from first year Chelsea McAllister (Springfield, Vt.) put Springfield ahead, 28-8, with 7:23 to play until the half. The Pride held the Blue without a field goal in the second quarter, outscoring the Blue 25-3 to take a 45-11 lead at the break.

The Springfield lead only continued to grow in the second half, as Restituyo, Gins and King combined for all 20 Springfield points in the third quarter to outscore the Blue, 20-9. Springfield eventually took its largest lead of the game, at 67-20, with 9:32 to play in the fourth, before closing out the 85-39 victory.

The Pride shot a staggering 57.1 percent from the floor in the contest, leading from the first quarter on, while also holding a 44-19 edge on the glass. Wellesley shot 27.3 percent on 12-of-44 shooting from the field.

Wellesley College basketball ends the 2015-16 season with a 4-19 overall (2-14 NEWMAC) record.