MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The Wesleyan women's basketball team had a blistering start offensively, shooting 73 percent in the first quarter, but couldn't capitalize as Williams ran away in the third quarter for a 67-61 win on Friday night from Silloway Gymnasium. The loss brings the Cardinals to 5-8 (0-1 NESCAC) while the Ephs improve to 7-6 (1-0 NESCAC).
 
The first quarter saw Wesleyan score 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting, but Williams kept pace throughout the frame and ultimately held a 22-20 lead at the end of the period as the Ephs went 9-for-15 from the floor. The back-and-forth barrage of baskets featured four lead changes and four ties as Meghan Kirck '28 led the Cardinals with nine points in the opening 10 minutes.
 
The two sides played to an even second quarter, both scoring 12 points, while the Cardinals scored five points in the final 37 seconds to cut into what was a seven-point Williams lead to make it a two-point game at the break.
 
Williams took control in the third quarter, outscoring Wesleyan 22-13 while building their lead to as many as 13 points.
 
The fourth quarter saw the Cardinals start strong, holding the Ephs to just two points in the opening 6+ minutes, but Wesleyan could only lower the deficit to five points. Williams shot just 3-for-16 in the fourth quarter but managed to grab six offensive rebounds while the Cardinals had eight turnovers in the period, which proved too much to overcome.
 
Kirck splashed in a career-high 18 points (7-14 FG, 2-5 3FG) to lead the team. Olivia Quinn '26 went for 16 points, nine rebounds, and three steals while Alli Jones '27 posted 14 points and 12 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season.
 
Wesleyan is back in action on Saturday afternoon with a 2 PM tip against Middlebury.