Blue Falls 66-40 to Hamilton in Ed Hockenbury Classic

NORWICH, Vermont -- Sophomore Maria Mercado Rengel (Dedham, Mass.) scored a game-high 19 points to lead Hamilton to a 66-40 win over Wellesley in day one of the Ed Hockenbury Classic.

With the loss, Wellesley drops to 1-7 for the season and Hamilton improves to 4-3 overall.

Rengel finished 7-of-9 from the floor, including 4-of-5 from downtown. Claire Sehring (Sauquoit, N.Y.) scored eight points to go along with eight rebounds. Junior Emma Sehring (Sauquoit, N.Y.) and senior Kelcie Zarle (Wellesley Hills, Mass.) each added eight points for Hamilton.

For the fourth consecutive game, sophomore Anna Greenthal (Orinda, Calif.) recorded double digits with 13 points including 8-of-8 from the free throw line. Junior Taylor Hirn (Hermosa Beach, Calif.) dropped eights points and added a team-high six rebounds. Senior Valentina Morakis (Long Island, N.Y.) also had eight points on 4-of-10 shooting.

Hamilton got off to a quick start, taking a 7-0 lead after a three-pointer made by Zarle. The Blue would cut the lead to just two after Elle Petra (Guilford, Conn.) converted on a layup at the 5:18 mark. By the end of the first period, Hamilton held a 16-13 advantage. The Blue opened up the second with a quick bucket made by Hirn. However, the Continentals would use an 8-2 run to open up its lead. Hamilton outscored Wellesley 18-6 in the second quarter and led 34-19 at the break.

The Blue looked to bring it back with Greenthal scoring the first basket of the second half. The Continentals kept its foot on the gas and eventually brought the lead up to 25 at the 2:27 mark in the third quarter. Wellesley had a solid fourth quarter, outsourcing Hamilton 15-12. Junior Camille Taylor (Boston, Mass.) scored four points and added a rebound.

The Blue went a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line, but struggled from three-point land going just 2-of-11. Hamilton shot 41.7% as a team and scored 28 points in the paint.

Wellesley will wrap up the Ed Hockenbury Classic tomorrow against tournament host Norwich starting at 3:00 PM. The Continentals play Colby-Sawyer tomorrow at 1:00 PM.