WELLESLEY, Mass. – Clark University women's basketball (16-6, 7-1 NEWMAC) journeyed to Wellesley (9-12, 3-5 NEWMAC) in what will be their last trip outside of Worcester during the regular season. The Cougars jumped out to a double digit lead in the first quarter and never looked back on their way to a 68-51 win on the road.
How it Happened
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Following a 7-5 start for the Blue, it would be all Clark as the Cougars closed the first quarter on a 14-0 run to go up 19-7 at the break, sparked by four straight points from first-year Leilani Benson and a triple from junior Catherine Antwi.
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After a strong offensive start to the second quarter for Wellesley, four quick points from junior Olivia Shipley and another three from Antwi with 5:05 remaining settled the dust, with Clark still in front 26-17.
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The Blue would cut the lead to as low as six points, but six unanswered points in the final 1:50 on layups by Antwi, senior Kiley Drezek, and Benson gave the Cougars a 34-22 advantage at the break.
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Back-to-back triples from sophomore Cyriah Coleman and Antwi, followed by a jumper from junior Emma Drefs, gave Clark a 17-point lead with six minutes to play in the third.
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A quick 6-0 run later in the period, led by free throws from Coleman, a jumper from Benson, and a layup by first-year Atiya Watson, would give Clark a 21-point advantage.
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A three from junior Kailey Rios pushed the Cougars' cushion to 23 points. Wellesley scored the last four points of the third, entering the final quarter trailing 53-34.
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The Blue continued their strong stretch of play with the first four points of the fourth quarter, but a layup from Shipley and eight points in just three minutes from Watson made it a 21-point game again with 4:33 to play.
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A three from junior Mia Mabanag gave Clark its largest lead of the game at 24 points, and a late layup by senior Ashley Leighton concluded the scoring for the Cougars, who went on to win 68-51 at the final buzzer.
Inside the Box Score
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The Cougars hit 25 shots, including seven makes from behind the arc. They grabbed 38 rebounds, assisted on 15 shots, and forced 18 turnovers behind 14 steals.
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Watson poured in 13 points offensively and added a career-best five steals defensively.
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Coleman also had 13 points, adding six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
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Antwi was the third Cougar to net 13 points in the game, including a team-high three triples in the effort.
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Shipley added eight points and a team-best seven rebounds, along with two steals and a block on the defensive side of the court.
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Benson posted a near-identical stat line with eight points, six rebounds, two steals, and a block.
What's Next
The Scarlet and White return home for a Saturday showdown with the Beavers of Babson, with tipoff set for 3:00 PM
