GAME OVERVIEW:

Franklin, MA: The women's basketball team which have been hit hard by injuries were defeated in their final regular season game at Dean College Bulldogs on Thursday, February 15. Lesley had just seven players available to choose from, one greater than the previous game, with freshman Elizabeth Portante making her return to the starting lineup. This was still expected to be a closer contest as Lesley pushed Dean close in their previous meeting in Cambridge on January 30. On that enthralling night, Lesley were 11 points to the good on two occasions but were reeled in by Dean who managed to claim victory in overtime. The Lynx never held the lead this time around and were 35-19 adrift at half-time. They can take encouragement from Dakota Jones performance as the forward hit 30 points and won 16 rebounds. Lesley's final regular season record is 4-21 and 4-12 in conference games while Dean have one game to play before the play-offs. Their record is now 16-8 overall and 13-2 in the NECC.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Dean settled into the contest quicker with a six point streak consisting of baskets from Sophia Corbitt (two) and Iindia Pina. Corbitt worked hard for her two layups as she won the offensive rebound for both scores.
• Dakota Jones got Lesley's maiden score before assisting teammate Elizabeth Portante for a jump shot. However, those two scores were not hindering the Bulldogs on their home court as an Iindia Pina jump shot sent them 16-4 clear with 4:05 left in the opening quarter. 
• Lesley's remaining scores in the first quarter came from forward Dakota Jones (two) and Michelle Ginouves. Linda Wallentine provided the assists for Dakota Jones two layups. Shantell McCall's jump shot meant that Dean had a handsome 22-10 advantage at the conclusion of the first 10 minutes of action.
• The Lynx were unable to tear deep enough into the Bulldogs lead in the second quarter. The nearest that Jake Mattleman's team got was 12 points when Linda Wallentine buried a jump shot after being assisted by Dakota Jones. 
• The Bulldogs largest margin of victory in the second quarter was 18 points when Sophia Church stole an Abby Henderson attempted pass to score a layup. That steal and score was soon followed by the final basket of the half when Linda Wallentine connected with a jump shot to leave the Lynx trailing 35-19 going into the 15 minute interlude.
• There was promise about the way the Lynx began the third quarter with a six point run which contained an Elizabeth Portante jump shot in between two layups from sophomore Dakota Jones. The Bulldogs responded in greater fashion with a nine point streak to storm 44-25 ahead. 
• Lesley closed out the third quarter with three scores from Dakota Jones (two free throws and a layup) and a basket from the industrious Linda Wallentine. However, Dean College were in a menacing mood and put themselves 52-31 in front going into the last 10 minutes of the conference game. 
• Dakota Jones landed all bar two of Lesley's scores in the closing 10 minutes with the other points arriving courtesy of New Hampshire's Abby Henderson. Nine players contributed to Dean's last quarter tally of 23 points.
• Lesley had a superior free throw percentage for the entire game as they landed 36.4% of their attempts compared to Dean's 25%.
• Dean College had 23 bench points whereas Lesley only two points from their reserves.

STAT LEADERS:

Lesley

Dakota Jones 30 points, 16 rebounds

Linda Wallentine 6 points, 7 assists

Dean

Iindia Pina 14 points, 8 rebounds

Emma Morrison 13 points, 8 rebounds

NEXT UP:

Lesley's focus turns to the post-season with a game at Becker College in the NCAA Tournament first round on Tuesday, February 20 with the time yet to be announced. Dean close out their regular season at Wheelock College on Saturday, February 17 at 12pm.