SAN JUAN, P.R. – The first game at the San Juan Shootout for the Edgewood College women's basketball team turned out to be a defensive struggle. The Eagles couldn't close the gap on a four-point halftime lead for Wellesley College and fell 58-45 at Mario Morales Coliseum. Rachel Pope tallied 16 points for the Eagles, who slipped to 3-8 on the season.
Edgewood College held the lead twice, briefly in the first half. Rachel Pope scored a layup and Jazmin Little converted one of two free throw attempts to give the Eagles a 9-7 lead less than eight minutes into the game. After Kayla Jang of Wellesley College (3-5) answered with a three-point basket, Sierra Jiran put Edgewood College back in front 11-10 with a layup off an assist by Courtney Spangler. However, the Blue used a 9-3 run to claim a 25-18 lead with four minutes to go before halftime. Jiran pulled the Eagles back within four at 29-25 with a three-point play just before halftime.
The game featured a slow start to the second half as the defenses took control of the game. The Eagles and the Blue combined for just eight points in the first nine minutes of the second half. In the next six minutes, Wellesley received four points from Chelsi Scott on an 17-7 run to open a 50-36 lead with 2:25 left to play. The Eagles were forced into press and foul mode, but never got closer than 11 points again after a three-point play by Pope with 56 seconds to go.
Pope finished the game with 16 points, including a pair of three-point baskets. Spangler added 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Jiran chipped in seven points and six rebounds. Edgewood College struggled from the field, shooting just 22.4 percent (13-for-58) for the afternoon.
Wellesley received a game-high 18 points from Morgyne Weaver, while Scott contributed a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Eagles forced the Blue to shoot just 29.2 percent in the second half, but couldn't keep Wellesley off the free throw line, where they went 15-for-21 in the final 20 minutes.
Edgewood College will return to Mario Morales Coliseum on Monday for a date with Colby-Sawyer College (5-2).
