Wellesley Defeats Emerson at BSU Cave Classic, 57-52

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - Wellesley College basketball earned a 57-52 victory over Emerson in the second round of the BSU Cave Classic on Saturday at Adrian Tinsley Center.

Junior Jiyun Chae (Chantilly, Va.) led the Blue (3-3) with 12 points while sophomore Sairah O'Brien-Forde (Binghamton, N.Y.) had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Chelsea Gibbons (Foxborough, Mass.) paced the Lions (1-5) with 18 points and four made threes.

After the Blue lead 4-0, the Lions scored 10 unanswered points, highlighted by threes from Gibbons and junior Ava Salti (Melville, N.Y.). The Blue took the lead back at 11-10 on a pair of made free throws from O'Brien-Forde.

The Blue ran their lead to seven at 17-10 in the second on a jump shot from Chae. The Lions scored the next seven points, with five coming from Gibbons. The Blue led 28-21 going into the half with Chae and Serna leading the scoring while O'Brien-Forde and first year Arla Hofer (Las Vegas, Nev.) each had six boards in the half.

The Blue kept the lead at eight through late in third quarter, when senior Pujita Shula (Austin, Texas) made a pair of layups and free throws as the Blue led 45-33 at the end of the quarter.

The Lions made a push late in the fourth with a 10-2 run including five points from Gibbons. Gibbons later hit a three to cut Wellesley's lead to 55-52. The Blue's defense and a pair of made foul shots from O'Brien-Forde helped Wellesley seal a 57-52.

The Blue return home on Tuesday for a 7:00 PM game against Fisher. The Lions play host Bridgewater State in the BSU Cave Classic finale tomorrow at 12:00 PM.