MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – After leading by as many as 22 in the first half, the Cardinal lead was cut to just five midway through the third, but a 13-0 fourth quarter run helped seal a 55-43 win for the Wesleyan women's basketball team against New England College from Silloway Gymnasium on Monday night. Wesleyan (10-6) wins their third straight home game while the 'Grims (8-9) are just 4-8 playing away from home this season.
 
It was all Wesleyan in the opening quarter, as the Cardinals held the 'Grims scoreless for the final 8:09 of the frame, going on a 17-0 run to hold a 21-4 lead after one. Felicia Fongemie '27 and Alli Jones '27 combined for 13 of the Cardinals' 21 points in the quarter as Wesleyan shot 55.6 percent while forcing seven NEC turnovers and watching the 'Grims miss their final 10 field goal attempts in the quarter.
 
Wesleyan's lead grew to 28-6 midway through the second quarter, the Cardinals' largest of the game, and remained a 22-point margin with under two minutes left in the first half. The 'Grims finished strong with five straight points, cutting the halftime deficit to 33-16.
 
NEC caught fire behind Alissa Corona who made three three-pointers in a span of just over two minutes in the third quarter, with her third make from behind the arc trimming the deficit to 35-30 with 5:04 left in the quarter. That, however, was the final points NEC scored in the frame as the two defenses dominated what was left of the quarter, with Wesleyan's three points being the lone points scored as the Cardinals led 38-30 after three.
 
The 'Grims stayed within reach as the visitors trailed 42-35 with 7:55 remaining, but the Cardinals put the game away with a 13-0 run, holding NEC scoreless for 5+ minutes down the stretch, leading 55-35 with 2:26 left. The 'Grims finished strong but ultimately took a 12-point defeat.
 
Wesleyan was led by Fongemie who scored a game-high 17 points (2-5 3FG) in 32 minutes. Alli Jones (10 points, nine rebounds) and Olivia Quinn '26 (nine points, 12 rebounds) both finished just shy of double-doubles. Kate King '27 stuffed the stat sheet with six points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. Alana Jones '24 dished out six assists with three steals.
 
Kathleen Rodriguez led the 'Grims with 12 points and nine rebounds. Corono scored all nine of her points in the third quarter while Macy Gordon had eight points.
 
The Cardinals are back on the road this weekend for a pair of NESCAC games against Amherst on Friday and Hamilton on Saturday.