Emerson Ekes Out 56-54 NEWMAC Win Over Blue Basketball

WELLESLEY, Mass. – Senior Charlotte Levison (Atherton, Calif.) recorded a 14 point, 13 rebound double-double to help Emerson College win a hard-fought 56-54 game over Wellesley College basketball at Dorothy Towne Fieldhouse. 

Levison, classmate Ella Bushee (Walpole, N.H.) and sophomore Bri Frongillo (Hopedale, Mass.) all scored in double figures for the Lions (11-5 Overall, 2-0 NEWMAC). Emerson took advantage of 18 assists and 30 points in the paint to earn the victory.

First year Trinity Barrow (Evans, Ga.) helped keep the Blue (7-7 Overall, 0-2 NEWMAC) within arm's reach of the Lions. The first year had 13 points, six assists and a trio of steals. Classmate Mirella Funari (Phoenix, Ariz.) and senior Jiyun Chae (Chantilly, Va.) both registered 10 points for Wellesley. Junior Caitlin Windross (Eastvale, Calif.) had a team-high nine rebounds.

Up six points to begin the fourth quarter, Emerson's lead ranged from four to eight until just under two minutes remained in the game. A key three pointer from Funari cut the Lions' lead to 56-54 with 1:52 left to play. After forcing a late miss from the Lions, Wellesley was unable to connect on a basket in the final possession of the game. A three point attempt fell short to give Emerson a 56-54 win.

An early 9-0 first quarter run ending with a Frongillo jumper put Emerson up 14-4 seven minutes into the game. Wellesley scored the final four points of the quarter to keep the Lions' lead at six after one quarter of play.

The Blue made it a one possession game a minute and a half into the second quarter. Wellesley briefly led 19-18 at the 5:29 mark before the lead traded hands seven times. The score was knotted up at 27-27 by halftime.

Emerson took a six point lead around the five minute mark of the third quarter on a corner three from Frongillo. The Blue didn't go away. Barrow scored five unanswered points to get the game back to 44-42 with a minute left in the third. The Lions responded with four points and led 48-42 after three quarters of action to set up the fourth quarter theatrics.

The Lions shot 24-for-59 (40.7%) from the floor while the Blue went 21-for-64 (32.8%). Wellesley pulled down 41 boards to Emerson's 40 and the Blue went nine-for-10 (90%) from the free throw line.

Both teams are on the road on Saturday, January 20. The Blue head to Springfield for a 3:00 PM game and the Lions match up with Coast Guard at 1:00 PM.