CMS Women's Basketball Edged by Augsburg 65-61 on First Day of David Wells Classic

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's basketball team led late, but Augsburg had a pair of key baskets less than 30 seconds apart and held on for a 65-61 win over the Athenas on Friday evening on the first day of the David Wells Classic at Roberts Pavilion.

With the loss, CMS slides to 1-3 on the year, while Augsburg improves to 3-1. Renee Chong led the Athenas with 13 points, while Ariana Dalia added 12 points and nine rebounds. 

The Athenas led 55-49 heading into the fourth, but Augusburg went on a 7-0 run to take the lead at 56-55. Twice Mary Markaryan put CMS back in front with baskets down low off of Chong feeds, the second making the score 59-58 with 3:15 left. 

After the Auggies split two at the line to tie the score, they earned a stop and came down with an offensive rebound before taking a timeout. After play resumed, they worked the ball down low to Jaley Coplin for a layup that put them ahead to stay. 

Kalena Myers then had a big steal and a breakaway layup to make it a 63-59 game. Chong hit a tough left-handed runner as the shot clock expired to get the Athenas back within two, and CMS had several chances to tie, the last coming after Sadie Heckman stole an inbounds pass with 26 seconds left. However the Athenas couldn't come up with the tying bucket, and after Augsburg split two at the line, CMS couldn't connect on one last three-point attempt to tie. 

Markaryan finished with eight points and eight rebounds, including two go-ahead baskets late, while Ava Grey had a strong floor game with five assists and one turnovers. Myers led all scorers with 19 points for Augsburg, and Coplin added 18. 

CMS will be back in action tomorrow on the second day of the David Wells Classic when it takes on Cabrini at 6:30 p.m. at Pomona-Pitzer