Worcester, MA --- Wesleyan junior Amber Wessells (Montclair, NJ) netted a team best 13 points to go along with three assists and five steals to help lead the Cardinals past Worcester State, 51-44, in non-conference women's basketball action this evening at the Lancer Gymnasium.

Wesleyan (6-1) was also paced by sophomore Jess Cherenza (Westerly, RI) who contributed ten points and five rebounds while senior Kendra Harris (St. Paul, MN) turned in a solid all-around performance scoring seven points grabbing six boards and dishing out four assists.

Worcester State (3-5) was led by senior Meaghan O'Keefe (Warren, MA) who scored 12 points to go along with 12 caroms and sophomore Shannen El-Qasem (Rutland, MA) who scored a game high 14 points and also corralled eight rebounds.

Sophomore Meaghan Burns (W. Brookfield, MA) also had a double-digit scoring effort for the Lancers contributing 11 points in the defeat.

Wesleyan would hold a lead for the majority of the first half until WSU sophomore Kelli McPherson (Mansfield, MA) was able to dial one in from long range at the 3:10 mark to make the score 18-17.

However, Wesleyan would rally back and go on a 7-0 run to close out the half on the back end of a three point basket by freshman Jackie Browne (Voorhees, NJ) for the 24-18 score.

The Blue and Gold came out of the intermission strong as they went on a 12-6 run which was book ended by a three-pointer by O'Keefe to open the half and a mid-range jumper by Burns to tie the contest 30-30 with 11:14 remaining.

The Cardinals then went on an 11-5 run of their own, highlighted by Cherenza's five points, to give the Black and Cardinal their biggest lead at 41-35 with just over six minutes left in regulation.

Two minutes later McPherson netted a pair of free throws to cap off a 6-0 run for the Lancers to tie the contest  41-41.

The Cardinals then cracked down on defense and went on a 10-3 run to close out the contest.

Wesleyan held the advantage in shooting at 35 percent (18-for-52) as Worcester State connected for 31 percent (16-for-51), the Cardinals also held the slight lead in rebounds (38-37).

Worcester State returns to action Tuesday as they host Mount Holyoke for a 6 PM affair, while Wesleyan returns home to take on Williams Saturday at 2 PM.