BOSTON, Mass. – The Lesley University women's basketball team dropped the season series to Wheelock College, 74-43, in New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) action, Thursday evening. First year guard Linda Wallentine (Monroe Township, N.J.) led the way for the Lynx netting a team-high 13 points.
The contest began in Lesley's favor as the Lynx used baskets from three different players, capped by a 3-pointer by junior Theresa Pereira (Hopedale, Mass.) as they jumped out to a 7-2 lead. Wheelock responded quickly as sophomore Katie Walsh (East Islip, N.Y.) put back an offensive rebound that sparked a run of 22 straight points that had the home team up 24-7 with 9:05 remaining in the second quarter.
The Wildcats would continue to pour it on as a jumper from junior Emma Siver (Colchester, Conn.) at the 3:49 mark gave Wheelock their largest lead to that point, 30-14. While a trifecta from the Lynx's Wallentine had the visitors back within 13, senior Jaime Grzych (Columbia, Conn.) would convert a traditional three-point play to send the Wildcats into the break, up 35-19.
In the second half, Wheelock continued to see their lead balloon as they opened the third quarter with eight consecutive points. With 3:27 remaining in the period, senior Brianna Hochwarter (Attleboro, Mass.) drained a shot from beyond the arc that extended the home team's lead to 54-24. Late in the final quarter, junior Gabrielle Haywood (East Longmeadow, Mass.) hit a lay-up off a feed by rookie Julianna Kane (Quincy, Mass.) before back-to-back Hochwarter lay-ins gave Wheelock their largest lead of the contest, 74-42. In the closing minute, a Lesley free throw would end the scoring at 74-43.
Wallentine shot four-of-eight from the floor including a perfect three-for-three from the outside while Pereira chipped in 10 points and four rebounds. Senior Emily Meade (Derry, N.H.) contributed nine points and seven rebounds off the bench. First year Dakota Jones (Torrance, Calif.) led the squad with eight rebounds.
Wheelock had eight players contribute at least one point while a trio reached double-figures. Senior Michelle Woods (Wilmington, Mass.) led the way with 21 points on 10-for-16 shooting from the field including seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Hochwarter netted 15 points including three trifectas and three steals. Grzych rounded out the scorers in double-figures with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting including 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. Walsh chipped in with a game-high nine rebounds and eight points.
The Lynx drop to 7-13 on the season and 5-8 in conference play while the Wildcats climb back to .500 improving to 10-10 including 8-5 in the NECC. Lesley will be back in action on Saturday February 4th when the host Becker College at 1:00 p.m.