WORCESTER, Mass. – Clark University women's basketball (16-7, 7-2 NEWMAC) returned home to close out the day's basketball doubleheader with a matchup against Babson (16-7, 8-1 NEWMAC). The Beavers used a strong third quarter to pull away, withstanding a late run by the Cougars to secure a 65-56 win.

How it Happened

• After a 5-0 start for Babson, a three-pointer by junior Kailey Rios got the scoring started for the Cougars.

• The lead reached as high as nine in the first quarter, but four straight points from first-year Atiya Watson, followed by a layup from first-year Karilyn Perez-Guerrero, cut the deficit to three with 42 seconds remaining. A late Babson layup extended the lead to 17-12 as the first quarter came to a close.

• Layups by Rios and junior Olivia Shipley got the second quarter off to a strong start for Clark, with an ensuing three by junior Emma Drefs giving the Cougars their first lead of the game, 19-17.

• Junior Cyriah Coleman got going in the middle part of the quarter, recording a layup, a steal, and two made free throws to extend the Cougar lead to eight with 5:14 to play in the half.

• Another basket from Perez-Guerrero, followed by a three from junior Catherine Antwi, made it a nine-point lead in the second. The Beavers again hit the final shot of the quarter, cutting the deficit to 32-25 entering the halftime break.

• Despite a layup from Shipley, Babson stormed out of the gates in the third quarter to retake the lead with 4:31 to go.

• The Beavers' lead grew to as many as six, but a late three from Coleman cut it in half. However, a foul on the final shot of the quarter resulted in two free throws for Babson, both of which were converted to make it 42-37 entering the final period.

• Shipley scored four quick points, split by a Babson layup, to cut the deficit to three just a minute and a half into the fourth. Unfortunately, an 8-0 run by the Beavers pushed the lead back to double digits with 4:51 left to play.

• Coleman responded with a personal 7-0 run, with her final layup making it a 54-50 game with 2:38 remaining. Babson answered once more, hitting timely free throws to keep the game at two possessions and ultimately secure the 65-56 win.

Inside the Box Score

• The Cougars hit 22 shots, including five makes from behind the arc. They grabbed 39 rebounds, assisted on 13 shots, and forced 23 turnovers behind 13 steals.

• Coleman finished with a game-high 19 points, adding five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. 

• Shipley posted a career-high 12 points, also hauling down six rebounds while blocking two shots in the effort. 

• Drefs recorded a team-high 10 rebounds, adding five points and two steals. 

What's Next

The Scarlet and White are ready for senior day as they close their regular-season home schedule with a game against Emerson on Wednesday at 7:00 PM.