Balanced Scoring, Tough Defense Boost Women's Basketball

The Wells College women's basketball team used balanced scoring and a strong defensive effort to earn a 48-45 victory over SUNY Cobleskill in a North Eastern Athletic Conference game on Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Schwartz Athletic Center.

The Express got 15 points and seven rebounds from Kamarie Maturine, 13 points and seven rebounds from Shelby Medovich, and 12 points and four assists from Carley Ryan in the victory. Fourteen of the 17 made field goals for the Express were assisted.

Wells held Cobleskill to 32 percent shooting from the floor and the Express forced 23 turnovers from the Fighting Tigers. Wells had nine steals and three blocked shots.

Wells jumped out to a 13-4 lead in the first quarter and led 13-9 after the opening 10 minutes. The score was tied 18-18 at halftime.

The Express started the third quarter with a 10-2 run and took its largest lead of the second half at 28-20. Cobleskill pulled to within three after the third quarter.

The teams traded the lead late in the fourth quarter. A layup from Yanna Ososkalo gave Wells a 44-40 lead but Cobleskill answered with a 3-pointer by Addy Lawson and a driving basket by Shaliyah Graham with 1:03 remaining. Shelby Medovich answered for Wells with a 16-foot jumper on the right wing to put the Express ahead 46-45.

The Wells defense forced a shot-clock violation to get the ball back. A free throw from Medovich gave Wells a 47-45 lead. On Cobleskill's next possession, Kamarie Maturine blocked a shot and controlled the rebound with 10 seconds left. One more free throw gave Wells a 3-point lead and one final turnover from Cobleskill sealed the Wells victory.

The Express has won three of its last four games, and stands at 5-11 overall with a 4-4 record in the NEAC. Cobleskill is 7-10 overall and 2-7 in the conference. Wells has won nine straight in the series history against Cobleskill and holds an 11-4 all-time record over the Fighting Tigers.

Wells has back-to-back games this week with a Tuesday, Jan. 23 game at Cortland and a Wednesday, Jan. 24 conference game at Penn College.