Norton, Mass. – The backcourt combination of Ashleigh Condon (Hull, Mass.) and Emily Reilly (Marlboro, Mass.) combined for 43 points and visiting Clark knocked off host Wheaton, 60-53 in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) women's basketball action on Thursday.

Wheaton, which entered the game in a four-way tie for fourth place with Clark in the league standings, fell to 9-11 and 6-7, while the Cougars, who have won six of their last nine contests, moved to 8-12 and 7-6.

After scoring the final six points of the first half to take a 30-20 lead into halftime, Clark ran off the first eight points of the second stanza to take a commanding 18 point edge less than two minutes into the second half.

Wheaton wouldn't go away, and began to chip away at the deficit, going on a 21-3 run over a span of a little more than nine minutes to eventually tie the game at 41-41.

The Cougars quickly scored the next two baskets as Reilly and Condon swung the momentum back in Clark's favor.

A Laura Pierce three-pointer had the Cougar edge down to two at 49-47, but four straight Cougar free throws gave Clark some breathing room again at 53-47 with 2:54 left.

Jeana Trimboli made a short jumper and after almost two minutes of scoreless play, a Gabby Barbera three-pointer had the Lyons within one at 53-52 with less than a minute remaining.

With 27 seconds left, Reilly shut the door on any thoughts of a comeback with a game-sealing three-pointer to make the score 56-52.

The Cougars then made four straight free throws in the final ten seconds to ensure the victory.   

The Lyons struggled offensively in the opening half, converting on just 25 percent of their shots, while Clark shot 42.9 percent, including draining half of its eight threes. Conversely, Wheaton made just one of its 14 three-point attempts. 

Neither team led by more than five points until the visitors went on a 9-1 run for a 24-16 edge at 5:50. 

Condon (9-for-14 field goals) poured in a career-best 22 points while grabbing five rebounds and Reilly (7-for-16 field goals) finished with 21 points and five boards of her own.

Wheaton was paced by Gabbie DePalo who totaled a double-double with 18 points and 11 boards.  Barbera and freshman Laura Pierce had nine points each, with Pierce adding a season-high-tying seven rebounds and four assists.

Clark returns to the court on Saturday with a crucial road contest at Mount Holyoke.