Wellesley Basketball Victorious Against Mount Holyoke, 49-30

WELLESLEY, Mass. - Wellesley College basketball earned a 49-30 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) victory over Mount Holyoke on Wednesday at Dorothy Towne Fieldhouse.

Senior Pujita Shukla (Austin Texas) had 11 points and a career-high six steals for the Blue (7-9 Overall, 1-1 NEWMAC) while first year Madison Wieboldt (Chapel Hill, N.C.) pulled down seven rebounds. First year Kendall Maurer (Orinda, Calif.) led the Lyons (2-15 Overall, 0-2 NEWMAC) with 10 points and eight rebounds. 

The Lyons led early, scoring the first seven points of the game with sophomore Marley Berano (Lady Lake, Fla.) burying a three. The Blue scored the next six points, though MHC managed to maintain a 15-10 lead at the end of one quarter. 

After an early Berano three for the Lyons, Wellesley scored seven unanswered points to take a 19-18 lead, highlighted by a layup and two made free throws from first year Shannon Li (Los Altos, Calif.). Wellesley's strong defense helped the Blue create a 27-21 led by the end of the half, with 12 first half steals.

Wellesley controlled the third quarter, outscoring Mount Holyoke 9-2 in the period. Junior Anna Greenthal (Orinda, Calif.) made a pair of baskets for the Blue in the quarter while Shukla recorded two steals and a pair of made free throws. 

Five quick points from Li and junior Jiyun Chae (Chantilly, Va.) brought the Blue's lead to 41-26. Both teams played strong defense for the next five minutes with Wieboldt unleashing an emphatic block for Wellesley. Mount Holyoke never got the game back within 15 points as Wellesley finished out a 49-30 victory.

The Blue remain home for another NEWMAC contest against Springfield on Saturday at 1:00 PM. The Lyons will finish out their two game road swing on Saturday at 1:00 PM against WPI.