Staff Writer
After an early start and an early second half push by the Springfield College (2-3, 0-1) women’s basketball team, Clark (3-2, 1-0) proved to be too much as they defeated the Pride 63-57, in Springfield’s home opener Wednesday.
“In the first half we kind of dug ourselves into a hole,” said senior guard Colleen Dignum. “We tried going to a zone and they hit three or four big three pointers, and our defense never really picked it up.”
That would be the case for most of the game as Clark pulled away by seven to end the first half up 29-22, and never looked back.
“Coach always says the first five minutes of each half are the most important,” said senior guard Kelly Murphy.
Murphy took that to the heart, as she started off the second half red-hot by hitting a three pointer and a free throw shot to make the score 27-29.
But with the combination of turnovers, missed shots, and a struggle to get rebounds, the Pride could never fight their way back into the game.
“We gave them too many chances,” said Murphy. “We were trying to rely on certain people and we needed everyone to score.”
“Coach felt we weren’t playing as a team and we took to many quick shots.”
Kelly Slattery and Dignum led the Pride with 13 points apiece, and freshman Jaimie Bickelhaupt led the Pride in rebounds with 10.
The Pride fall to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play. They look to rebound when they take on Wellesley at home this Saturday at 1:00pm.