Boston, Mass. – Visiting Clark University put four players in double figures led by freshman Ashleigh Condon (Hull, Mass.), who netted a career-best 18 points and the Cougars knocked off host Emerson College 70-64, in the opening game of the Emerson College Tip-Off Classic on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, Clark improves its record to 1-1 and advances to the championship game against the University of New England, who defeated Trinity (Conn.) 68-66, in the waning seconds of the doubleheader nightcap.
The 70 points for Clark are the most points the Cougars have scored in a game since a 71-45 win over Wellesley College back on December 2, 2009.
Clark connected on 50 percent of its first half shots (16-for-32), helping to build their 39-30 halftime lead. Emerson meanwhile, struggled shooting in the first 20 minutes, making just 12 of their 35 shots, including a 3-for-11 showing from behind the arc.
Emerson eventually whittled down the Clark lead in the second half and tied the game on two separate occasions, the last time at 48-48 win a little more than nine minutes left.
The Cougars then went on a 9-0 run highlighted by a three-point play from Kelsey Giedymin (Shrewsbury, Mass.) to swing the momentum back to their side and take a 57-48 lead win 7:21 left.
The hosts refused to go away and had one more burst in them, getting the Clark lead down to three at 67-64 with 33 seconds left, but Condon and classmate Emily Reilly (Marlborough, Mass.) made free throws down the stretch to put the game out of reach.
Clark controlled the glass, outrebounding the Lions 52-35, helping to offset their 24 turnovers.
In addition to Condon, classmate Meghan Grondin (Cumberland, Maine) had 12 points and four rebounds before fouling out, and Kate Minister (Manchester, England) added 11 points and six rebounds.
Reilly chipped in with ten points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in 32 minutes, while Giedymin fell just shy of a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds.
Emerson was paced by Kathy Andrade and her 17 points, five rebounds and four assists in just 23 minutes.
Game time on Sunday is slated for 3:00 p.m.