Severt, Akens-Irby lead CMS to Wells Classic win over Willamette

CLAREMONT, Calif. – Sophomore Kailee Severt (CMC) put up 18 points in the second half of the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's basketball team's win over Northwest Conference foe, Willamette 69-53. The Athenas scored 28 points in the fourth quarter to run away with the victory on the first day of the 17^th Annual David Wells Classic.

After a back and forth third quarter with two lead changes and a trio of score-evening baskets, CMS went on to only miss one basket in the fourth quarter. Head Coach Kristen Dowling returned to rely on her starters to bring the game home with all five making at least one shot.

Junior guard Jai Dungca (CMC) got things going with a jumper to give CMS a five point advantage at 43-38. In two of the next three possessions for the Athenas, Severt drained a pair of threes. In the quarter, Severt was 4-for-4 and totaled 10 points. With 1:53 on the clock, senior Mara Falahee (SCR) was fouled while shooting. She made both the basket and the and-one to take CMS' lead up to 12 points, out of reach of the Bearcats.

Sophomore Kayalin Akens-Irby (CMC) was the star of the first half, recording 10 points without missing a field goal and leading the team with five rebounds. During her nine minutes of play in the second quarter, she was 4-for-4 plus a foul shot. When the Athenas fell behind by a point at 19-18, Akens-Irby pulled up a jumper to kick-start an eight point run.

Falahee and Dungca played well on both sides of the ball. They each had three assists on the night and each tallied at least a steal, thanks to their relentless defense.

Shooting 60% on the night comes close to the record of 61.8% against Life Pacific on Dec. 8, 2006.

For the Bearcats, Kylie Towry and Alex Wert led the team with 16 and 12 points respectively.

CMS (4-0) plays one more game in the Wells Classic against the University of Puget Sound (3-1) today, Saturday, Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. at the Linde Activities Center. Yesterday, UPS beat Pomona-Pitzer 84-67. The last time CMS and UPS matched up was in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last spring.

Box Score

By Emily Nordhoff
Sports Information Director

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