Emily Johnson's game-winning three was blocked by Kelly Bowman as time expired, leaving Wesleyan with a 54-52 win over Middlebury in a NESCAC contest in Pepin Gym. The Panthers wrap up the regular season tomorrow when they host Connecticut College, while Wesleyan visits Williams.
Middlebury held a five-point lead with 5:11 remaining in the first half, before going on a 9-0 run. A pair of three's from Johnson and one from Carlie Harrington left the Panthers with a 30-16 advantage at the 2:33 mark. Wesleyan chipped away and closed the gap to 31-23 at the half.
The Cardinals opened the second half with a 12-2 run over the first 5:12 of play. Meredith Lowe scored seven points during the run, which gave Wesleyan a 37-33 lead. The Cardinals increased the lead to as many as seven, but Middlebury would not go away. Johnson picked up a steal and converted a lay-up with 26 seconds to go, bringing the Panthers within one. Nikki Maletta converted one of two free throws for Wesleyan, setting up Johnson's last-second shot.
Ashley Barron led Middlebury with 15 points, Lani Young added 13 points and eight boards, while Johnson scored a dozen.
Lowe paced the Cardinals with 15 points, Ali Fourney scored nine with nine boards, while Kelly Bowman added eight.
