Clark Rallies Past Blue Basketball For 72-54 NEWMAC Win

WELLESLEY, Mass. – Wellesley College basketball put up a season-best 23 first quarter points, but Clark University took over the game late to earn a 72-54 New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) victory over the Blue on Wednesday evening at the Kneller Athletics Center.

Clark, who dropped a 49-46 decision to the Blue earlier this month, improves to 12-6 overall and an even 5-5 in the NEWMAC. Wellesley is now 8-8 on the season and 4-6 in conference play. 

Clark sophomore Ogechi Ezemma (Hope Valley, R.I.) registered a double-double with a game-high 23 points and 12 rebounds, while also recording three blocks and a steal. Junior Sam O'Gara paced the Cougar offense with 15 points and a season-high 11 assists. O'Gara also racked up six steals in 35 minutes of action. Senior Aretha Sullivan (Worcester, Mass.) finished one rebound shy of a double-double of her own, scoring 15 points to go along with nine boards, two assists and two steals.

For the Blue, first year Caitlin Aguirre (El Paso, Texas) finished with 15 points for the second time in as many games. Senior Ailis Hanley (Cranston, R.I.) chipped in with 12 points, while both Aguirre and Hanley secured four rebounds in the contest. Sophomore Zojajha Ayub (Belle Mead, N.J.) pulled down a team-best six rebounds and added nine points. First year Kendall You Mak (San Francisco, Calif.) finished with seven points, five rebounds and five assists.

Wellesley held the lead for most of the first quarter, opening the contest on a 7-2 run before Clark rallied back to tie the score at 11-all on the strength of six-consecutive points from Ezemma. With the score tied, the Blue jumped out ahead again, eventually leading 23-17 following a triple from You Mak at 2:32. Clark combined for a 12-2 run over the final two minutes of the first and the opening four minutes of the second to take a 29-25 advantage. Wellesley never regained the lead for the remainder of the contest. 

The Cougars outscored the Blue 19-12 in the second quarter to carry a 40-35 edge into the break. Wellesley rallied to within one on four occasions in the third quarter but could never get past the hosts. Clark's resilience held throughout the quarter, with the Cougars eventually able to grow their lead to 51-44 before the start of the fourth. Clark then opened the fourth with 10 unanswered points to put the game out of reach. The Cougars held the Blue without a bucket until Aguirre scored with 5:49 left in the contest and would eventually go on to take the 72-54 victory. 

Calrk finished the game 24-of-58 (41.4%) from the field and 3-of-12 from long range. Wellesley knocked down six triples on 6-of-19 shooting, while finishing at 35.6 percent (21-of-59) shooting in the game. The Cougars scored 24 points off of 23 Wellesley turnovers and also owned a 42-33 edge on the glass.

Wellesley returns home to host Coast Guard in NEWMAC play on Saturday, January 28, at 2:00 PM. Clark will also play Saturday when they tip-off against cross-town rival WPI at 2:00 PM.