MIDDLEBURY, VT.- The Wesleyan women's basketball team had their three-game win streak snapped Friday evening as they were defeated by the Middlebury Panthers, 61-47. The Panthers were able to hold the Cardinals to 17 first-half points on just six made field goals. Wesleyan was able to put together more scoring in the second half, but they could not complete the comeback and fell to the Panthers for their first loss in two weeks. Wesleyan drops to 10-11 (3-4 NESCAC), while Middlebury improves to 12-9 (4-4 NESCAC).

The Cardinals were paced by Tori DaCosta '25 who led the team in both scoring and rebounding. The sophomore forward went to work on the block and midrange to get to her 13 points (5-15 FG) on the night. She was also tied for a game-high with 11 rebounds, completing her 9^th double-double of the 2022-23 season. She was joined in double figures by Olivia Quinn '26 who finished with 10 points, her 9^th time in double figures during her freshman campaign.

The game started out back-and-forth with a Quinn three pointer giving the Cardinals their first lead of the contest at 8-7 at the 4:14 mark of the 1^st quarter. That mark would be the first and last time the Cardinals would have the advantage, as the Panthers closed the quarter strong to take a multi-possession lead at 13-8 after one.

The Cardinal came out with some offense in the second quarter, going on a mini 6-2 run that trimmed the lead right down to one halfway through the second quarter. Middlebury then connected on two straight triples, but were answered with a Brooke Guiffre '23 three of her own to keep the Panthers within striking distance at 21-17 at the 1:24 mark of the first half. An Alexa Mustafaj layup in the final seconds of the half game the Panthers a six-point lead and momentum moving into the halftime break.

A layup to open the second half gave Middlebury their largest lead of the game thus far at eight. DaCosta responded with two straight short jumpers to bring it right back to a four-point deficit. Lena Benway '25 and Quinn continued the 6-0 Wesleyan run to tie the game at 27 with 5:27 remaining in the quarter. The Panthers offense found life in to end the third quarter, going on a 11-2 run capped off by a Reagan Mcdonald three ball to go right back up nine points. Quinn hit a three to stop the bleeding, but Middlebury managed a eight-point lead going into the final quarter of play.

Dacosta opened the 4^th quarter with a bucket inside, but Mustafaj answered with a 6-0 run herself to push the lead up to the largest of the game at 12. Guiffre and Mustafaj traded buckets over the next three possessions ultimately ending in Middlebury hanging on to an eight-point lead with 7:22 left in the game. Wesleyan wouldn't go away, as Quinn and DaCosta would both convert in the paint to bring the deficit right back down to four with 4:49 remaining. The Panthers defense would hold the Cardinals without a field goal the rest of the way, adding to their lead in the process. They would close the game on a 13-3 run to capture their 4^th NESCAC victory of 2022-23.

The Panthers were led by Mustafaj who led all scorers with 28 points on 10-21 shooting. The Panthers finished the game shooting 37.5% from the field and knocking down 4/19 triples. Wesleyan ended shooting 35.4% from the field, making six of 15 tries from beyond the arc. The Panthers cashed in off Wesleyan turnovers, scoring 17 points off turnovers and 20 points in transition.

Wesleyan will return to the court tomorrow February 4^th, where they will travel from Middlebury, Vermont to Williamstown, Massachusetts to take on the Williams Ephs.