CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Lesley University junior Chris Barletta (Valrico, Fla.) drove the lane and hit a layup with 2.8 seconds left on the clock to lift the Lynx past Wheelock College 78-76 in New England Collegiate Conference action tonight at the Nicholas Athletic Center.
After advancing the ball past half-court and calling timeout, Wheelock had a chance with 2.1 seconds left, but a clean look for sophomore Derek Fournier (Johnston, R.I.) clanged off the back rim, preserving Lesley's victory.
The win evens Lesley's conference record at 2-2 as they improve to 2-10 overall with the win. The Wildcats fall to 0-3 in the NECC and 3-9 on the season.
The Wildcats worked to erase an 11-point halftime deficit and eventually tied the game at 74-74 on a layup by junior Joe Reedy (Orlando, Fla.) with 1:19 left in the game. Barletta would answer with a bucket of his own on a great up-and-under move in the paint to reclaim a two-point advantage. Reedy and the Wildcats would even things once again on their trip down the floor as the junior connected at the rim before Barletta connected for Lesley's game-winner.
Barletta made the most of his six points on the night while adding three rebounds, an assist, a block, and two steals to his line. Sophomore Jacob DiDomenico (N. Providence, R.I.) powered the Lynx attack as he finished with a career-high 22 points and 11 boards to record the second double-double of his career. Senior Justin Rosa (East Brunswick, N.J.) and sophomore Terrell Toney (Lakewood, Wash.) finished with 15 points apiece while senior Nikalus Oliver (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) was the fourth Lesley player to finish in double-digits as he chipped in with 12 points and eight caroms.
Wildcats sophomore Anthony Williams (White Plains, N.Y.) was outstanding for the visitors as he led all players with 30 points on 15-of-23 shooting. The power forward also corralled six rebounds. Classmate Nicholas Fenton (East Hartford, Conn.) recorded his first double-double of the season as he finished with ten points and a game-best 11 assists to go with his four rebounds and three steals. Sophomore Matt Eason (East Hartford, Conn.) and Fournier each tallied eight points for Wheelock.
Each side was effective down low as the Lynx held a slim 52-44 advantage in points in the paint. The Lynx also held a 37-28 rebounding edge while the hosts' bench outscored their counterparts by a 30-6 margin.
Wheelock used a pair of triples to open up a 10-2 edge in the opening three minutes of action. Eason started the spurt with a three from the wing before Fournier sandwiched a pair of WIlliams layups with a trey of his own to push the Wildcat lead to eight.
The Lynx used an 11-2 run to claw back and tie the game at 13-13. Four different Lynx scored during the spurt before DiDomenico capped the run with back-to-back buckets.
With 5:31 to go in the opening half the Wildcats clung to a 29-27 lead before the Lynx closed out the first on a ferocious 13-2 run to claim a 42-31 edge at the break. Rosa and DiDomenico were unstoppable during the run as they accounted for 11 of the 13 points.
Wheelock would not let Lesley run away with it, as they outscored the Lynx 45-36 in the second half of play.
The Lynx are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Mitchell College for a 3:30p start while the Wildcats will host the Mariners on Thursday at 8:00p at Brunelli Court.