NORTON, Mass. - The Wheaton College women's basketball team opened New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action Wednesday night against Babson College, with the Beavers pulling out a 60-56 win after a hard fought second half in Emerson Gymnasium.

Juniors Ruthie Zientek and Jill Bodreau led the Lyons with 12 points, while Sophia Black knocked down nine and Oppie Morris finished with eight. Zientek led Wheaton with six rebounds, while Abby Hamilton and first-year Sara McLeman each finished with a block. 

Giovanna Pickering led all players with 17 points, while Brenna LeGacy netted 13 in the win for Babson. Jennifer Narlee pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds and seven steals for the Beavers.

The Beavers controlled the first quarter, taking a 17-4 lead after seven minutes with help from layups from Pickering and LeGacy. Wheaton doubled its score before time expired in the opening quarter but not before a layup from Julianna Rosenberg. 

Wheaton won the second quarter, outscoring Babson 14-12 courtesy of baskets from Zientek, Morris and McLeman. Despite losing the period, the Beavers captured their largest lead, 26-12, on a three-pointer from Elizabeth Lane with 8:43 on the clock. The Lyons began their comeback shortly after, allowing Babson just five points the rest of the half. 

Trailing 31-22 at the half, Wheaton once again put in a solid performance, outscoring Babson 18-17 in the third quarter. A three-pointer from Bodreau with 3:27 to go in the third pulled Wheaton within three points, making it a 40-37 contest. Zientek tied the game in the fourth quarter with a second-chance three-pointer. Natalie Wind earned Wheaton its first lead moments later with a quick jumper with 5:54 left to go in the game. Pickering handed Babson the lead back for good with 2:21 remaining after a laying one in. Wheaton tried to pull closer down the stretch, but the Beavers went onto hit their free-throws.  

Wheaton shot 37.9 percent (22-of-58) from the floor and 57.1 percent (4-of-7) from the free-throw line, while Babson ended the game 25-of-69 from the floor (36.2%) and 9-of-20 (45.0%) from the charity stripe. 

Wheaton returns to the court on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. at home against WPI in another NEWMAC contest.

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