BABSON PARK, MA – Women's basketball closes out 2021 with two wins in the Babson Classic tournament. They defeated Framingham State Thursday afternoon, before taking down Endicott today 74-66. After a historic shooting performance Thursday, Wesleyan settled for an 8-23 shooting night from beyond the arc to secure their second straight victory. Caleigh Ryan '22 was phenomenal again, scoring 24 points to match the 24 she put up yesterday against Framingham State. Wesleyan's second win in a row will bring them back to .500 (6-6) heading into 2022. Endicott goes 0-2 in the Babson Classic, falling to 4-6 on the year.

It wasn't the three-point barrage from Thursday night, but the Cardinals managed to make eight of their 23 three pointers Friday afternoon. They shot above their season average from distance for the second game in a row, raising their percentage to 27.7%. Overall, they shot 38.2% from the field while holding the Gulls to 37.5%. They stay undefeated against Endicott, now improving to 5-0 all time.

Maddie Clark '22 returned to the starting lineup Friday, but another player stepped up off the bench Friday night. Maggie Lee '23 came off the bench and immediately contributed, putting up 11 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes. She connected on three of her five three-pointers, including back-to-back triples to get Wesleyan back into the game late in the 3^rd quarter.

Ryan led the way for the Cardinals putting up 24 points (9-17, 3-6 3pt) to go with six rebounds and two assists. Marina Petruzzi '22 and Clark joined her in double figures with 13 and 11 points respectively. Abby Gray '23 brought down a career-high 13 rebounds in only 17 minutes, while Alana Jones '24 had a game and career-high three steals. On the other side, it was Sarah Dempsey leading the way for Endicott with 25 points and 12 rebounds in a losing effort.

The 1^st quarter was a back and forth before Endicott went on a 6-0 run to end the quarter that gave them a seven-point lead going into the first break. Dempsey got going early for the Gulls, shooting 3-4 on her way to an eight-point two-rebound first 10 minutes.

Clark opened up the 2^nd quarter with a three-pointer, cutting the deficit to four. Wesleyan would control the game over the next 10 minutes, resulting in a 10-point swing and a three-point halftime lead. The half was capped off by a beautiful dime from Clark to a cutting Ryan to beat the halftime buzzer, 35-32 Wesleyan.

Sarah Dempsey's impressive start to the 3^rd quarter gave Endicott a six-point lead with 2:10 remaining in the quarter. Coach Mullen called for a sideline out of bounds play that gave Maggie Lee an open look from the wing which she was able to knock down. Next time down, Clark found Lee again for a three from the opposite wing and Wesleyan had the deficit down to four going into the 4^th.

The senior trio of Clark, Ryan, and Petruzzi brought it home for the Cardinals in the 4^th as they combined to outscore Endicott 17-12 on their own on way to a 24-point final frame. Jones' steal up six with under a minute to go sealed the deal on Wesleyan's 74-66 win.

Wesleyan will return to action Tuesday January 4^th at Silloway Gymnasium where they will take on Colby-Sawyer.