Springfield, Mass. – January 28, 2026 – Despite outscoring Clark 29-9 in the third quarter, the visiting Cougars held off Springfield College and defeated the Pride, 60-56, in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Wednesday night in Blake Arena.

Clark remained unbeaten in NEWMAC play (4-0) and sits at 13-5 overall, while Springfield dropped to 11-7, 2-2. This marked Clark's first win over the Pride since 2018 and first win in Blake Arena since 2017.

Springfield received a game-high 16 points from Natalie Lucas (Madison, Conn.). Lucas also notched five assists, three rebounds and a steal, while Carrie Hess (Shrewsbury, Mass.) chipped in with 13 points, six rebounds and an assist and Madison Lopez (Bronx, N.Y.) notched 12 points, three rebounds and three helpers. Clark was led by Cyriah Coleman, who had 12 points – nine of which came from behind the arc.

Clark held a 30-14 lead at halftime before Springfield began its comeback attempt. In the third quarter alone, Springfield shot 9-for-14 from the floor and knocked down six of seven shots from behind the arc. Lopez ignited the run with a three off the hands of Lucas just 30 seconds into the third and eventually worked back to take a 36-34 lead minutes later as Ella Stair (Newington, Conn.) buried a corner three that came off a pass in the middle from Amanda Leary (Westbury, N.Y.). 

Clark tied the score at 36, but a pair of free throws and a three pointer from Lucas gave Springfield a five point lead at 41-36. After a trey by Coleman and two free throws by Stair, the quarter came to a close with the Pride ahead 43-39.

The visitors answered and shot a blistering 63.6-percent from the floor in the fourth to secure the win. Despite a layup from Leary giving Springfield its largest lead of the game (six points) early in the fourth, Clark worked all the way back to tie the score at 51 before Hess and Lucas regave the Pride a 56-51 edge with 3:21 left.

Coleman went to the line and hit one of two shots and then Catherine Antwi hit two shots from behind the arc as Clark scored the final nine points of the game to earn the 60-56 win on the road.

Springfield will head to nationally-ranked Smith College for a NEWMAC battle on Saturday at 2:00 pm.

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