CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Lesley freshman Shannon Baker (Lynnbrook, NY) scored 13 of her team-high 20 points in the first half to lead the Lynx to their first New England Collegiate Conference victory of the season over Wheelock College, 59-50. With the win, the Lynx improve to 2-13 (1-8) on the year while the Wildcats fall to 1-14 (1-7).
Baker was hot from three-point range, knocking down 5-of-8, and played aggressive defense as she came away with a game-high seven steals. Sophomore Anthea Rathjens (Sudbury, MA) was also impressive as she recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass, and had a team-high two blocks.
Wheelock junior guard Jessica Ramsey (Milford, MA) came off the bench to score a game-high 29 points, going 5-of-8 from deep, while also grabbing eight rebounds. Freshman forward Kelsey Becker (Hanover, MA) had a game-high 17 rebounds to go with her eight points while sophomore guard Cathryn Fernandes (Hudson, NH) added ten points and two assists for the Wildcats.
Rathjens and Baker combined for nine early points to pace the Lynx to jump out to a 13-1 advantage over the first 7:36 of the game. Wheelock got right back in it though as Ramsey knocked three three's over the next two minutes to cut the Lesley lead to seven, 17-10.
The Lynx were able to push their lead back to double-digits using a 17-8 run. The final eight points of the run came from the hand of Baker as she nailed two three's and a fifteen footer. The Wildcats would score the final four points of the half, going into the locker room trailing 34-22.
In the second half, the Lynx were able to push their lead to 17 on a Rathjens made layup before the Wildcats started to make a run of their own. Trailing 43-26, Wheelock went on a 12-1 run to trim the lead down to just six with 8:42 remaining. Ramsey rambled off nine straight points to end the route.
Wheelock would climb to within three with just over three minutes left, but the Lynx held on for the 59-50 win.
The Lynx played aggressive defense all night long, coming up with 23 total steals and causing 35 Wheelock turnovers. Lesley juniors Emily Fleming (Medford, MA) and Sarah Apgar (Andover, NJ) each had four steals while sophomores Kaleigh Gorman (East Setauket, NY), Carrie Fieger (Simsbury, CT), and Rathjens each had two.
The Lynx will continue their homestand on Saturday as they play host to Elms College at 6:30p. Wheelock is back in action on Thursday as they will host Pine Manor at 6:00p.
