WORCESTER, Mass.– Clark University women's basketball (6-1) welcomed Wesleyan University (3-2) to Worcester for their last game of November. The Cougars battled to an early lead but couldn't withstand the Cardinals' comeback, as a late three proved to be the difference in a 71-70 loss.

How it Happened

• Junior Kailey Rios got the Cougars started, scoring 10 of the team's first 14 points behind two contested layups and two threes. First-year Atiya Watson added the other four points as Clark took a 14-5 lead just four minutes into the game.

• A pair of free throws from sophomore Cyriah Coleman extended the lead as high as 13, but the Cardinals were able to nearly halve the deficit, finishing the first down 23-16.

• Watson continued her strong start to open the second, scoring five straight points to push the lead back to double digits.

• The Cougars continued to cook, with Coleman making a top-ten-worthy pass to junior Emma Drefs for a layup before a deep jumper by junior Mia Mabanag forced a timeout, with Clark up 32-20.

• The Cardinals would again battle back, with a late three by Olivia Quinn cutting the deficit to six at the half, with Clark in front 40-34.

• For the third straight quarter the Cougars got out of the gate quickly, with layups by junior Olivia Shipley and Coleman, before five straight points by Rios made it 49-35 with 6:43 to play in the third.

• The trend continued with Wesleyan again battling back, hitting a layup at the buzzer to make it 55-52, Clark still in front heading into the final quarter.

• Four quick points put the Cougars up by seven, but a 10-0 run gave the Cardinals their first lead of the game, 62-59, with 6:02 to play.

• Layups by first-year Leilani Benson and junior Catherine Antwi gave the lead back to Clark, but it quickly switched sides again on a three by Wesleyan.

• A layup by Shipley, followed by offsetting threes from Rios and Meghan Kirck, tied the game at 68. Watson drew a foul on the following possession, knocking down both free throws to give the Cougars a 70-68 lead with 24 seconds to play.

• Again the Cardinals responded, with Kirck hitting what would ultimately become the game-winning triple with 15 seconds left. A layup inside didn't fall, and the Cardinals were able to dribble out the clock to secure the 71-70 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Clark hit 25 shots, including seven three-pointers, while also making 13 free throws. They finished with 48 rebounds for a margin of +11.

• Rios led all scorers with 23 points on an efficient 9-15 from the field and 5-7 from downtown.

• Watson had 17 points and shot a perfect 8-8 from the charity stripe.

• Coleman recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, also adding three steals and two blocks defensively.

• Shipley had five points and seven rebounds, recording four blocks for the second straight game and adding two steals.

What's Next

The Scarlet and White take a short break before traveling to Brandeis for a 6 PM showdown on December 3.