For Immediate Release
December 4, 2007
Wellesley Sports Information
Wellesley College Basketball Downs Emerson
Box Score
WELLESLEY, Mass. – Nikki McClease (New Haven, CT) recorded a game-high 33-points and added 12 rebounds to lead Albertus Magnus College passed Wellesley College on Tuesday night at Wellesley. The Falcons sealed a 62-58 win in the closing seconds of the game.
Albertus Magnus opened the game with a 4-0 run and took a 7-2 lead on a three from Gia Patruzo (North Haven, CT), prompting a Wellesley timeout at 17:10. The Falcons maintained momentum, taking a 17-8 lead at the 12:20 mark. A jumper from Courtney Richter (Sinking Spring, MD) and a three-point play from Jessica Duff (Milton, Abingdon, UK) cut the lead to 19-13.
With 8:00 remaining, a coast-to-coast drive by Kate Martore (Great Falls, VA) trimmed the lead to 22-17, but on the ensuing possession, McClease sank back-to-back free throws to stretch the lead back to seven. A minute later, Julia Thomas (Concord, CA) sank a lay-up to cut the lead to three.
The teams traded baskets for the next four minutes, until the Blue forced two consecutive 30-second violations and Laura Barrett (Dobbs Ferry, NY) sank a three-pointer to bring the blue to within one, 31-30, with 1:05 to go in the half. Wellesley then took the lead with 14 seconds left, when Courtney Richter (Sinking Spring, PA) sank back-to-back free throws, giving the Blue a 32-31 halftime lead.
Wellesley opened the second half with a 7-2 run to take a 38-33 lead. Albertus Magnus answered with nine unanswered points, capped off by a three-pointer from Patruzo, giving the Falcons a 41-38 advantage. Duff sparked a 6-1 run for the Blue with a spinning lay-up to retake the lead. The Falcons battled back with a jumper from Laura Stokes (Prospect, CT) and two free throws from McClease, giving the guests a 49-45 edge.
The Blue tied the game at 49-49 at the 8:00 mark, then went ahead 52-51 on a three-pointer from Barrett. With 1:31 left, Stokes sank a long three-pointer to give the Falcons a 58-56 edge. A long inbounds pass led to a Duff layup, tying the score at 58-58 with 35 seconds remaining. McClease gave the Falcons the lead for good with 14 seconds left, and two free throws in the closing seconds secured a 62-58 win for the visiting Falcons.
McClease led all scorers with 31 points and added 12 boards for the double-double. Paturzo finished 15 points for Albertus Magnus (4-2).
For Wellesley (2-4), Duff recorded 17 points and eight rebounds while Thomas notched a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 15 boards.
Both teams return to action on Thursday at 7:00. The Falcons will take on Bay Path College at home while Wellesley will host Roger Williams.