WALTHAM, Mass.– Clark University women's basketball (6-2) traveled to Brandeis (7-0) to meet the Judges in non-conference play. The Cougars led early and were able to cut a double-digit second-half deficit to one possession, but Brandeis was able to survive the late push, securing a 76-71 victory to remain undefeated on the year.
How it Happened
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After a pair of free throws to open the game for the Judges, the Cougars quickly retook the lead behind four straight from first-year Atiya Watson and a three from junior Kailey Rios to give Clark a 7-2 lead with 5:58 remaining in the first.
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Brandeis would retake the lead, despite another three from Rios, off a three from Claire Candela to make it 10-9 with 3:20 to play in the quarter.
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Clark would briefly retake the lead behind a jumper from sophomore Cyriah Coleman, but back to back triples would put the Judges back in front, 18-13, at the end of the first.
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Rios continued to scorch the net from downtown, nailing two triples to give the Cougars a 19-18 lead with 8:26 to go in the half.
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First-year Gabrielle Watson would hit her first career three to put the Cougars in front 22-20, but an 11-4 run over the next three minutes put Brandeis back in control, 31-26.
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After a back and forth couple of minutes, a late Rios three would cut the deficit to four as the Judges took a 40-36 lead into the halftime break.
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In a low-scoring start to the second half, Brandeis slowly built out a 49-39 double digit lead behind a pair of free throws with 4:37 to play in the third.
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Three layups by first-year Leilani Benson and a pair of free throws by junior Bella Galatt helped the Cougars cut the lead to four, 54-50, at the end of the third quarter.
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A 5-0 run would extend the lead out for the Judges, but a free throw for Coleman and a three by Rios made it a 59-54 game with 7:30 to play.
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Clark continued to battle, with a Benson and-one, a Rios mid-range jumper, and a pair of free throws by Coleman, the latter cutting the lead to one possession, 64-61.
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Unfortunately the comeback would be stopped there, as Brandeis scored the next four points of the game and hit timely free throws to close out a 76-71 victory.
Inside the Box Score
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Clark hit 23 shots, including eight three-pointers, and made 17 free throws. They finished with 40 rebounds and 13 assists.
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Rios scored 22 points on 6–10 shooting from downtown, marking her second straight game with 20 or more.
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Atiya Watson added 16 points, her third game this season reaching 16 or higher.
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Coleman finished with 13 points while hauling in a team-high nine rebounds and dishing a team-high five assists.
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Benson reached a career-high 11 points, adding six rebounds in her 13 minutes.
What's Next
The Scarlet and White return on Saturday for a home basketball double-header, as they take the court for the second game of the afternoon, scheduled for 3:00 PM vs Emmanuel College (Mass.).