Wheaton obtains sole possession of first place in NEWMAC following double-digit victory at Wellesley

January 31, 2007

WELLESLEY, MA- The Wheaton College women's basketball team moved into sole possession of first place in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) thanks to a 63-53 victory over host Wellesley College Wednesday night at Towne Fieldhouse.

Improving to 14-6 overall and 7-1 in the NEWMAC, the Lyons' victory total matches the program's most since recording 18 wins in 1995-96. Their seven conference wins tie the program record from 1994-95 and are the most by a Wheaton team since the league went to a 13-game format in 2003-04. Winners in 10 of their last 11 games, the Lyons are experiencing their best run since winning 12 of 13 in 1995-96. Wellesley slips to 4-14 and 1-8.

After leading by just three at the half, the visitors blew the game open in the second stanza, holding a comfortable 17-point advantage with under two minutes remaining. Despite a tightly-contested opening half, the Blue and White held the lead for the majority of time, including a 24-16 cushion on a three-point play from freshman Jenny Champney (Bedford, MA/Bedford) at 4:26.

Wellesley answered by scoring the next nine points and captured its only lead of the game. Junior Courtney Pelley (Leicester, MA/Worcester Academy) knocked down a pair of threes during that stretch. A lay-up from Wheaton senior point guard Casey Sorbara (Port Chester, NY/Trinity Catholic) at 2:07 and a pair of free throws by classmate Kim McCormack (Milton, MA/Milton) with 40 seconds to go gave the Lyons a 28-25 edge heading into the break.

In the second half, the hosts cut their deficit to 30-29 at 17:37 before senior Samara Audet (Derry, NH/Trinity) responded with five straight points for a six-point Lyon advantage. Wellesley hung around and trailed 46-40 with 8:26 remaining, but Wheaton used a 13-2 run during a 4:24 span to put the game out of reach. Sophomore Krystin Hickey (Manchester, NH/New Hampton School) had six points in that stretch while Audet added four. Wellesley closed the game with nine of the final 11 points.

Audet led nine Wheaton scorers with 14 points, while Hickey contributed 13 points and five rebounds. Champney accounted for nine points and a game-high-tying seven rebounds, and McCormack finished with eight points and seven boards.

For Wellesley, sophomore Jessica Duff (Milton, England/Saline) paced all scorers with 17 points while pulling down seven rebounds. Classmate Courtney Richter (Sinking Spring, PA/Wyomissing Area) turned in 13 points, and Pelley finished with 10 to complete the double-figure scorers.

Wheaton will take aim at a fifth straight win Saturday afternoon against Smith College in Emerson Gymnasium. The NEWMAC contest is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.

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