BOSTON – A sluggish second quarter for the Rams proved to be the difference in a 53-37 setback for Suffolk women's basketball to Wesleyan Saturday afternoon at Emerson's Bobbi Brown & Steven Plofker Gymnasium.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 37 | Wesleyan 53
RECORDS: Suffolk (11-6) | Wesleyan (10-7)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk commanded the first 10 minutes. The Rams put the first nine points of the day on the board with Wesleyan scoreless through the first 6:49. Jenni-Rose DiCecco commanded the opening period, putting in 10 of the blue-and-gold's 13 points to help the hosts hold a 13-5 lead.
Matters reversed in the second stanza. This time, Suffolk was sluggish in scoring, going 8:19 without a hoop, which allowed the Cardinals to take a 15-13 lead. Gabriella DeComo ended the draught at the 2:41 minute mark of the second quarter. That hoop and one other by the junior was all Suffolk would score in the second set of 10 minutes, which put the Rams in a 24-17 hole at the half.
Wesleyan built on their half time lead in the third, extending matters to double figures early on. For every comeback attempt that came from Suffolk, the Cardinals had an answer to maintain the margin and take the victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- DiCecco had a game-high 17 points, 10 of which came in the first frame. She handed out six assists and pulled down six rebounds to contribute on both sides of the ball.
- DeComo was on the verge of double figures in scoring with nine to go along with three caroms, one block and one dime.
- Alexis Hackett provided the bulk of the Rams' 44 rebounds with 15 of her own, 10 on the defensive end.
- Allie Lopes chipped in six points and three boards.
- Jordan Hipwell helped on the glass with seven caroms to go with three points.
- Suffolk shot just 20.3 percent on the day (15-74) and 9.1 percent (2-22) from three-point range. The Rams' 71.4 connection rate (5-7) at the free throw line helped supply the offense.
- Wesleyan won the battle on the glass, 62-44.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk and Wesleyan met for the eighth time in program history, first since 2016.
- DiCecco matched a career-high six steals.
POST-GAME PIC
WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk is back against conference competition Wednesday, Jan. 29 when it ventures to Johnson & Wales for a midweek match. The GNAC battle is set to begin at 5:30 p.m.