SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Despite trailing by 17 with 8:13 remaining in fourth quarter, the Wesleyan women's basketball team comeback bid, ultimately closing the deficit to just four points in the closing minute, but it proved not enough in the end as Western New England capture the Hampton Inn Holiday Classic title with a 74-67 win over the Cardinals. WNE picks up another win, improving to 5-0 on the season, while the Cardinals move to 2-2.
 
In a game that saw Wesleyan outscore the Golden Bears 21-9 in the fourth quarter and 44-29 in the second half, WNE benefitted from a dominant first half as the hosts led 45-23 at halftime on Sunday. The Cardinals opened with a 2-for-17 showing in the first quarter while Alli Jones '27 picked up two early fouls, putting Wesleyan at a major size disadvantage. WNE outscored Wesleyan 16-6 after one and followed with a 29-point second quarter, going 60 percent from the floor (12-for-20).
 
It was 51-26 Golden Bears with 7:32 left in the third quarter and even though the Cardinals started making shots in the third, shooting 55.6 percent (10-18 FG), WNE continued to produce offensively with a 20-point quarter to take a 65-46 lead into the fourth.
 
Wesleyan's comeback bid began with six minutes remaining as Olivia Quinn '26 hit a triple, Maggie Smith '25 converted a three-point play, and Meghan Kirck '28 connected from deep for a 9-0 burst, closing the deficit to 68-60 with 3:05 remaining.
 
Kirck had a three-point shot in the air with 1:30 remaining that would've made it a five-point game if it had gone in, but the clock began to be a big factor as time was running out on the fight back. Kirck hit from distance to make it 71-65 and Felicia Fongemie '27 grabbed a steal and made a layup just seven seconds later to make it a four-point game.
 
That, however, was as close as the Cardinals would get as WNE finished with some big free throw makes down the stretch to hold on for a 74-67 win.
 
Wesleyan stayed in the game despite being outrebounded 53-28, benefitting greatly from a lack of turnovers as the Cardinals had just six for the game. The Cardinals hit 10 three-pointers and finished with three players scoring in double figures.
 
Quinn netted 18 points (4-9 3FG) to lead the team while Fongemie scored 16 and Kirck had 12 (4-9 3FG) off the bench. Smith grabbed 10 rebounds to go along with six points.
 
Wesleyan has a quick turnaround with a Tuesday night tip against Clark at home.