Norton, Mass. - Wheaton closed the first half on a mind-blowing 35-5 run to turn a 10-point deficit into a 20-point lead en route to an easy 76-52 win over visiting Clark University in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference women's basketball action at Emerson Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.

The Lyons improved to 3-5 overall and 2-1 in league action, while the Cougars slipped to 2-6 and 1-2 in NEWMAC play.

As they have all season, Clark struggled taking care of the ball, committing 28 turnovers including 11 in Wheaton's decisive first half run. The Lyons, in turn, converted those miscues into 34 points.

Things started out well for the Cougars as they raced out to leads of 8-0, 12-2 and 19-9 through the first ten minutes of the contest.

All of Clark's momentum shifted to the host Lyons as they dropped in five three-pointers during the run to turn their 19-9 deficit into a 44-24 halftime bulge.

Even though the teams both shot relatively the same percentage, Wheaton attempted 24 more field goals thanks in part to their 17 offensive rebounds. The hosts also had 21 assists attached to their 30 made shots.

The Lyons lead ballooned to as many as 34 at 74-40 with a little less than six minutes left before Clark closed the game on a 12-2 run.

Wheaton placed four players in double figures led by Jenny Champney's 14 points and five rebounds. Jeana Trimboli added 13 points and six assists, while Andrea Bailey had 12 points, seven assists and four rebounds and Gabbie DePolo chipped in with 10 points and six boards off the bench.

Ivori Aiken (Harlem, N.Y.) was the lone Cougar in double figures with 12 points in 21 minutes. Freshman Kelsey Giedymin (Shrewsbury, Mass.) added eight points and six rebounds and sophomore Kate Minister (Manchester, England) provided eight points and eight boards. Clark returns to the hardwood when it travels to Mount Holyoke for a NEWMAC matchup on Saturday at 1 p.m.