NORTON, Mass. - First-year Lexi L'Heureux-Carland netted a career-high 11 points in the Wheaton College women's basketball team's New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) contest against Wellesley College. The visiting Blue defeated the Lyons 49-44. 

L'Heureux-Carland ended the afternoon 5-of-7 from the floor and hit one of her four attempts from the free-throw line. The first-year ended the game just one rebound shy of her first career double-double, pulling down a game-high nine rebounds. Ruthie Zientek concluded the contest with 10 points on a 3-for-5 night from the floor, which included hitting 1-of-3 from long distance, and making 3-of-4 from the charity stripe. 

Caitlin Aguirre led all players with 15 points on a 4-of-11 afternoon, including 2-of-3 from three-point range, and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. Ailis Hanley was the only other member of the Blue to score in double-figures, knocking down 10 points in the win. 

Both teams struggled from the floor with Wheaton shooting slightly better than Wellesley. Wheaton put away 16-of-44 (36.4%), while the Blue hit 17-of-49 (34.7%). Free-throws proved to be the difference maker with Wellesley shooting 78.6% (11-14) from the charity-stripe, while the Lyons only made 8-of-17 (47.1%). 

L'Heureux-Carland opened the game with a quick layup, assisted by Sophia Black to give Wheaton the early advantage. Zojajha Ayub handed Wellesley its first lead of the game at the 7:47 mark in the opening frame after draining the games first three-pointer. The Lyons battled back to capture their largest lead of the game with 2:13 left to play in the opening quarter on a Natalie Wind layup. 

Leading 13-11 heading into the second quarter, L'Heureux-Carland once again opened the scoring, this time laying one in with the help of Abby Hamilton. The Blue quickly responded with an 11-2 run that lasted a little over six minutes. 

Wellesley continued to push the pace out of the locker room, increasing its 24-21 lead at intermission to 32-25 with 4:31 left to play in the third frame. Wheaton found a way to pull back within one point, 36-35, as the two sides headed into the fourth quarter. Wellesley pushed its lead back to eight, 47-39, with a quick jumper from Hanley. The Lyons managed to cut the deficit to five before time expired. 

Wheaton returns to the court on Monday, Jan. 23 at Roger Williams for a 5:30 p.m. tip. 

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