WORCESTER, Mass. – Clark University women's basketball (11-5, 2-0 NEWMAC) resumed its journey through conference play by hosting Wheaton (4-12, 0-2 NEWMAC) on Wednesday night. After the Lyons took a 19-10 lead after the first quarter, it was all Cougars over the next three, as they cruised to a 75-52 win in their second conference game of the season.

How it Happened

• Clark took the first lead of the game on a layup by junior Emma Drefs just 14 seconds in. After a brief Lyons run, the Cougars pulled back in front as a three from sophomore Cyriah Coleman made it 9-8 halfway through the first.

• Wheaton used three triples in the final three minutes of the opening quarter to take a nine-point lead into the second.

• The Cougars quickly cut into the lead before back-to-back threes from junior Kailey Rios made it 26-all with five minutes to play in the quarter.

• Down 31-29 with three minutes remaining, Clark went on a 10-2 run to close the half, fueled by threes from Coleman and Rios and layups by the aforementioned Coleman and junior Catherine Antwi. That surge gave the Cougars a 39-32 advantage heading into the break.

• The momentum carried over into the second half, with the Cougars extending their lead to double digits off a layup from first-year Atiya Watson. A layup by Coleman pushed the cushion to 51-37 midway through the third.

• Rios and Coleman teamed up again to end the quarter, with a three and a layup in quick succession to make it 59-41 entering the final ten minutes.

• After a Coleman jumper extended the lead to 20, a Lyons run cut the deficit to 16. However, another layup inside by Coleman and two free throws from Shipley pushed the lead back to 20 with five minutes to play.

• Clark closed the game on a 6-0 run, sparked by layups from Watson, first-year Leilani Benson, and sophomore Juliette Tarsa, taking their largest lead of the game on the final shot, 75-52. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Cougars hit 30 shots, including eight makes from behind the arc. They grabbed 44 rebounds, assisted on 20 shots, and forced 19 turnovers, adding eight blocks and eight steals.

• Coleman dominated with a season-high 24 points, adding six rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals.

• Rios hit five triples, finishing with 19 points while recording season highs in rebounds (9) and assists (5), and adding two steals.

• Junior Olivia Shipley ended with eight points, three rebounds, three assists, and three blocks — her fifth game this season with three or more rejections.

What's Next

The Scarlet and White hit the road for the first time in conference play, traveling to Mount Holyoke for a 1:00 PM tipoff this Saturday.