MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Holding onto a slim three-point lead with 4:30 remaining, the Wesleyan women's basketball team responded with 15 unanswered points down the stretch to close out a 66-48 win over Utica on Friday night on the opening day of the Courtyard by Marriott Classic. Wesleyan improves to 4-3 overall and 2-0 at home while the Pioneers drop to 2-5.
 
Wesleyan led for more than 37 minutes in this one, but couldn't pull away as the Cardinals didn't manage a double-digit lead until the third quarter. Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, as the five three-pointers for Wesleyan proved to be the difference in a 29-24 halftime lead for the Cardinals.
 
Scoring the first five points of the second half, all from Tori DaCosta '25, Wesleyan managed their first double-digit lead at 34-24. Meghan Kirck '28, who got the starting nod for the first time in her career tonight, hit from deep and her classmate Madie Dayton '28 later swished a triple to make it 45-33 Wesleyan late in the frame.
 
Leading by 11 at the start of the fourth, the Cardinals saw their advantage almost disappear as the Pioneers scored 10 of the first 12 points in the frame, cutting the deficit to three points. The Cardinals' lead remained at three points before the crucial, game-deciding 15-0 run down the stretch put any Utica comeback hopes to bed.
 
DaCosta started the run with a basket in the paint followed by Felicia Fongemie '27 scoring her first points of the game on a three from the corner. Olivia Quinn '26 followed with a three-point make in transition and Alli Jones '27 made it four straight possessions with a basket, as the sophomore finished on the fast break.
 
Kirck hit again from three-point range before Fongemie hit a runner in the lane with just under one minute remaining, closing out a 66-48 home win with a blistering 4+ minute stretch.
 
As a team, Wesleyan hit 10 three-pointers for the third time this season while the Cardinals held Utica without a three-point make until the fourth quarter. The 48 points scored for Utica represents a new season-low for a Wesleyan opponent. Wesleyan dominated the glass, grabbing a season-high 55 rebounds (21 offensive) compared to 29 for Utica, giving the Cardinals a +26 edge in rebounding margin.
 
DaCosta led the way with 18 points (8-13 FG) and 10 rebounds, representing her first double-double of the season and the 12^th of her career. Quinn (16 points) and Kirck (12 points) hit four three-pointers each. Fongemie dished out a career-high eight assists to go along with five points, six rebounds, and three steals. Jones finished with a career-high 21 rebounds (nine offensive) while adding 11 points, five assists, and three blocks. That is Jones' second double-double of the season and fourth of her career.
 
Wesleyan completes their home tournament on Saturday afternoon with a 3 PM tip against Salve Regina.