Women's basketball falls in first-place battle at Babson, 62-57

January 20, 2007

BABSON PARK, MA- In a battle between the top two women's basketball teams in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC), Wheaton College fell short of Babson College, 62-57 on Saturday in Staake Gymnasium. At 10-6 overall and 5-1 in the league, the Lyons saw a six-game winning streak, their longest since 1996-97, come to an end. The Beavers moved to 9-7 and 5-0.

Neither team had an offensive spark early on, as they combined to shoot 2-of-9 during the first three minutes of the game. Babson broke out of an eight-all tie with five straight points and eventually led, 15-10 with 10:34 remaining before the Lyons battled back. The visitors went on a 9-0 run over 3:02, as senior Kim McCormack (Milton, MA/Milton) provided four points and sophomore Jennie Pleat (Nashua, NH/Nashua South) had two assists, to forge a 19-15 edge at 7:03. The Beavers got no closer than two points the rest of the half, and the Blue and White took a 30-23 lead into the locker room.

Wheaton shot 44.8 percent from the floor in the first half, including 48.0 percent from inside the arc, while limiting Babson to 27.3 percent shooting

The Lyons took their largest lead at 32-23 on freshman Jenny Champney's (Bedford, MA/Bedford) bucket just 11 seconds into the second half before Babson took control. The Beavers ripped off 15 straight points during a 6:02 stretch, keyed by nine consecutive points from junior Caitlin Boulier (Wolcott, CT/Saint Margaret's McTernan) that brought her team from down seven into the lead. The hosts led, 38-32 at the 13:17 mark.

Wheaton whittled its deficit to as little as one point with 12:29 left when sophomore Bri Smith (Westford, MA/Westford Academy) dropped home a fast-break hoop. However, Babson took five-point edges on four different occasions while leading by no less than two until 3:30 remained, as Lyon senior Samara Audet (Derry, NH/Trinity) canned a three-pointer to bring Wheaton within 53-52.

One point was as close as the Blue and White would come, as the Beavers twice ballooned their lead to as much as eight. Down 54-52, the Lyons had a pair of three-point attempts 45 seconds apart fall off the mark. Babson hit all eight of its free throw tries during the final 1:11 to ice the game despite a lay-up by senior Casey Sorbara (Port Chester, NY/Trinity Catholic) with 26 seconds remaining and a Champney three 10 seconds later. The Lyons shot just 29.7 percent in the second half, while the hosts went for 48.0 percent.

Champney led the Lyons with 13 points in her first collegiate start, while Audet collected 10 points and six rebounds. Smith contributed nine points and six rebounds, McCormack had eight points, nine rebounds and three assists, while Pleat notched eight points. Sorbara added four helpers.

Senior Colleen Burke (Pittsfield, MA/Pittsfield) finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three blocks for the Beavers, while classmate Suzy Ward (North Attleboro, MA/North Attleboro) added 13 points thanks to 8-of-8 free throw shooting. Boulier had 11 points, scoring only one bucket outside of her personal 9-0 run, while picking up seven blocked shots and three steals. Junior Rebecca Berg (West Brookfield, MA/Quaboag) contributed 11 points and six rebounds off the bench.

The Lyons take a break from conference play with a pair of non-league games next week, beginning when the Blue and White travels to Tufts University on Tuesday for a 6:00 p.m. contest.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 1/31/07.
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