Big First Half Sends Babson Women's Hoops Past Lesley, 84-54

BOX SCORE

BABSON PARK, Mass. - Babson College outscored visiting Lesley University, 40-13, over the final 16 minutes of the first half en route to a convincing 84-54 victory over the Lynx in a non-conference women's basketball contest at Staake Gymnasium on Tuesday night. With the win, the Beavers improved to 2-1 on the year, while Lesley dropped to 1-2.

First-years Nicole Wurdeman (Rowley, Mass.) and Kathleen King (Framingham, Mass.) paced Babson with 15 points apiece, while sophomores Becky Bowman (Melrose, Mass.) and Kristy Benoit (Shrewsbury, Mass.) each added 14 points. King was the team's high rebounder with six, while Bowman added four boards and four assists. Sophomore Amanda Grammel (Leominster, Mass.) dished out five assists for the Beavers, and junior Sarah Hughes (Wellesley, Mass.) contributed 10 points and four rebounds off the bench.

Lesley was led by sophomore Kaitlyn Wechsler (Merrick, N.Y.), who finished with a game-high 18 points to go with five rebounds. Junior Hailee Lowe (Hamilton, Mass.) added 12 points, four caroms, and four blocked shots., and sophomore Brianne Caira (Pelham, N.H.) chipped in with 11 points and three blocks.

Wechsler recorded a pair of conventional three-point plays early on for Lesley, as the Lynx took an 8-6 lead with 16:18 left in the opening half. However, Babson answered with a 22-5 run over the next 10 minutes, led by eight points from Wurdeman. Lesley would get no closer than 18 the rest of the way as the Beavers took a 46-21 halftime lead on their way to the eventual 30-point victory.