BROOKLINE, MA -- Senior Brianne Caira (Pelham, VT/Pelham) grabbed a Lesley-record 20 rebounds and freshman Kacie St. Onge (Brattleboro, VT/Brattleboro Union) shot 4-8 from downtown as Lesley earned its first win of the season in a 53-45 road victory in New England Collegiate Conference action Wednesday night.
Rachael O'Mara (Levittown, NY/McArthur) tied for game-high honors with 14 points on 4-9 shooting from the field, and St. Onge followed with 13 points. Fellow forward Cassidy Freed (Brattleboro, VT/Brattleboro Union) went 2-3 from distance, totaling eight points, eight rebounds and a game-high four assists as Lucia Robinson's club moved to the top of the NECC with its first win.
Behind Caira's record night, the Lynx dominated the boards, outrebounding Newbury 53-41 and holding the Nighthawks to 27 percent (17-62) shooting. Despite a 30 percent (17-57) shooting effort for the Lynx, Brattleboro, VT-natives St. Onge and Freed fueled an 8-17 attack from three-point range, and the three-ball and rebounding were the differences.
In a game Lesley never trailed, St. Onge had the hot hand early. Back-to-back three-pointers, her second and third of the game, gave the Lynx their largest lead at 21-7with 8:41 remaining in the first half. A 9-3 Nighthawks run over the final 4:30 - interrupted only by another St. Onge triple - brought Newbury to within five, 26-23 at halftime.
The Nighthawks continued to chip away throughout the second half, and a Morganna Machado (Attleboro, MA/Attleboro) three-pointer made it a one-point game at the 8:00 mark. An O'Mara three at the 3:25 mark gave the Lynx some breathing room at 45-41, and Caira scored six points over the final 2:50 to stave off the Nighthawks and seal the win.
In addition to her 20 rebounds, which broke Christine Buchanan's school record of 18 set six years ago today, Caira added 11 points, four blocks and three steals. Her four blocks move the Lynx all-time record holder to 197 for her career.
In her first career game at point guard, Lynx senior Kaitlyn Wechsler (Merrick, NY/Our Lady Mercy) totaled seven points and five rebounds, playing all 40 minutes. All five Lesley starters grabbed at least five rebounds.
Newbury forward Catherine O'Connell (Quincy, MA/North Quincy) was nearly as dominant inside as Caira, scoring 14 points to go with 17 rebounds, two blocks and two assists. Jalisa Fields (Bronx, NY/St. Michael Academy) added 10 points and six boards.
At 1-5, Lesley travels to UMass-Boston on Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m. Newbury (1-7) travels to Rivier tomorrow at 7 p.m.