MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – After seeing Lesley hang with the Wesleyan women's basketball team, the second half was completely one-sided as the Cardinals outscored the Lynx 39-6 past halftime and rolled to an 86-40 victory from Silloway Gymansium on Monday night. Wesleyan (8-10) wins for the third time in four games while the Lynx (4-14) have lost five straight and 10 of their last 11.
 
Tori DaCosta '25 led all scorers with 19 points (9-16 FG) while grabbing a career-high 14 rebounds (five offensive) in just 22 minutes. This is DaCosta's third straight double-double as well as her eighth of the season and ninth of her career.
 
Madi Gomez '24 came off the bench and hit from all over the floor, as the junior guard went 5-for-9 from three-point territory on her way to a career-high 17 points to go along with four assists (also a career-high) and four rebounds. Gomez' five three-pointers are the most made by any Cardinal in a single-game this season.
 
Wesleyan's 86 points sets a new season-high for the team, as does the Cardinals' 35 made field goals and 27 assists while the 10 made three-pointers matches a season-high. The Cardinals grabbed 58 rebounds (21 offensive) compared to 30 for the Lynx, giving Wesleyan a +28 advantage on the boards.
 
A gamely Lesley side was hitting shots in the early stages, taking a 12-10 lead at one point late in the first quarter but Gomez responded with a three which started a 9-0 Wesleyan run which helped translate into a 21-16 Cardinal lead after one. In the first quarter alone, DaCosta recorded nine of her 19 points as well as six rebounds.
 
In a high scoring second quarter, the two sides combined for 44 points but the difference being Wesleyan hit five three-pointers in the frame compared to one for the Lynx. Lesley cut the deficit down to four points at 24-20 but a 15-4 Wesleyan run quickly swelled the lead back up to 15 points which was the largest margin of the first half.
 
Taking a 47-34 lead into halftime, Wesleyan overpowered Lesley in the third, outscoring the visitors 23-4 in the quarter. Wesleyan shot 10-for-19 (52.6 percent) in the frame while holding Lesley to just 1-for-16 shooting (6.3 percent) with seven turnovers. Eight different Cardinals scored a field goal in the third as the lead swelled to 32 points.
 
With the game already well in-hand, Wesleyan outscored Lesley 16-2 in the fourth to win this one going away. Wesleyan shot 50 percent (17-for-34) in the second half and only committed three turnovers while playing suffocating defense on the other end, holding Lesley to 6.9 percent (2-for-29) on their shot attempts in the final 20 minutes.
 
Abby Gray '24 matched her career-high with 14 rebounds, seven of which came on the offensive end. Kaylin Genda '26 came off the bench and contributed eight points, six rebounds, and three blocks, career-highs across the board for the freshman. Olivia Quinn '26 made contributions across the board with nine points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
 
Sophia Torres led the Lynx with 12 points and eight rebounds.
 
Only NESCAC games remain for Wesleyan as the Cardinals welcome Amherst next on Friday night for a 7:00 PM tip.