Wellelsey, Mass. - January 23, 2016 - A 16-4 edge in the first quarter proved to be the difference maker for the Springfield College women's basketball team, as the Pride defeated Wellesley, 69-42, in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play on Saturday afternoon at G.M. Martore '73 Court.

With the win, Springfield picked up its second conference victory of the week, and improves to 11-6 overall with a 7-3 mark in the league. With the loss, the Blue fell to 3-13 on the season, and 1-8 in the NEWMAC.

The Pride was led by junior center Ava Adamopoulos (Ludlow, Mass.) and sophomore Heather King (Lebanon, N.H.), who each registered 12 points in the win, as Adamopoulos was 6-for-6 from the floor. As a team, Springfield shot 29-for-53 (54.7%) from the floor, including shooting 18-for-26 (69.2%) in the first half. The Pride also held a 46-24 advantage on the glass in the contest.

Additionally, senior guard Heather Lewis (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) tied her career-high with seven assists, while junior guard Lexi Windwer (Milford, Conn.) notched 10 points, including a pair from three-point range. Senior forward Emily Gins (Fort Myers, Fla.) also chipped in with nine-point and a game-high 10 rebounds in the victory.

For the Blue, senior forward Chelsi Scott (Portland, Mich.) tallied a game-best 20 points to go along with five rebounds, while Kayla Jang (South Pasadena, Calif.) added 10 points for Wellesley in the loss.

The Pride scored the first eight points of the contest over 3:41, capped by a jumper from Windwer, but was quickly countered by a pair of free-throws from Scott, and a basket from Ailis Hanley (Cranston, R.I.) to cut the Blue's deficit in half. From there, Springfield scored the final eight points of the quarter, including four from King to take a 16-4 advantage at the end of one.

A triple from Jang made it a nine-point game, but the Pride would extend its lead to 15 thanks to back-to-back baskets from Adamopoulos and Lewis to take a 24-9 lead with 7:54 left in the first half. Freshman Chelsea McAllister (Springfield, Vt.) pumped in a pair of jumpers on ensuing possessions to give Springfield a 32-16 lead late in the stanza, as the Pride would carry a 36-21 lead into the locker room following a lay-up from Carli Brent (Wilmington, Mass.).

Two more Scott free-throws would cut Wellesley's deficit back to 13, but they were quickly answered by a three from Windwer, followed by baskets from Adamopoulos and King to give the visitors a 20-point advantage midway through the third quarter.

Brent would hit three free-throws late in the third, followed by a triple from Molly McCausland (Millbury, Mass.) as Springfield went into the final quarter holding a 55-32 advantage.

With 2:16 left in the contest, Gins would convert a pair of free-throws, followed by another three-pointer from Windwer, sealing the 69-42 win for the Pride. 

Next, Springfield will return to Blake Arena and will host MCLA on Monday, January 25 at 5:30 p.m.