NEW HAVEN, Conn.  - The Albertus Magnus College women's basketball team won its third straight game and fourth in its last five games as the Falcons defeated Wesleyan University, 83-72 at The Nest in a non-conference game on Wednesday evening.

Jakara Murray-Leach (Norwalk, Conn.) captured her second straight double-double, scoring 25 points and grabbing a season-high 15 rebounds to lead the charge for Albertus. Caitlyn Scott (White Plains, N.Y.) scored 19 points with five rebounds and five assists and Diamond White (Hamden, Conn.) had 16 points, six assists, and a season-high eight steals. 

THE BASICS

FINAL: Albertus Magnus 83 | Wesleyan 72

RECORDS: Albertus Magnus (7-3) | Wesleyan (4-3)

BOX

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In a tightly contested first quarter, there were seven ties as no team could gain much separation. Wesleyan led by as much as 22-16, but the Falcons finished the first quarter on an 8-0 over the final 1:35 as four different Falcons scored points during the run.
• Murray-Leach scored ten of her points in the quarter, including 6-for-6 from the free throw line and 2-for-2 from the field.
• Albertus extended its run to 16-0 into the second quarter, scoring the first eight points of the frame. White's defense helped lead the charge with three steals and four points. She also had an assist off a steal to Murray-Leach during the run.
• Albertus held Wesleyan scoreless until the 5:56 mark of the second after a jump shot from Felicia Fongemie.
• Albertus twice took leads of 17 points, the last time coming at 1:13 with the Falcons up 45-28. They'd go into the half leading 47-34. Albertus had seven steals as a team and White and Diamond each scored eight in the quarter. Albertus held Wesleyan to 5-for-17 (29.4%) shooting in the quarter.
• The Falcons took a 56-38 lead after a block on the defensive end from Murray-Leach that led to an Amanda Zdru (Stratford, Conn.) layup with 6:35 left in the third.
• Wesleyan fought back, scoring nine straight, five coming from Tori Dacosta to cut its deficit to 56-47.
• The Cardinals got within eight at 60-52 with 1:24 left, but Murray-Leach scored four of the final five points of the quarter to take a 65-52 lead into the fourth.
• Albertus pulled away in the fourth, going up by 19 points at 83-64 at the 3:30 mark. Wesleyan scored the final eight points of the quarter but never threatened. Elizabeth Bruno scored six points off the bench in the quarter to lead Albertus.
• It is the second three-game winning streak for Albertus this season.

TEAM STATS

Albertus: 47.7 FG% | 65.5 FT% | 15.4 3PT%

Wesleyan: 40.8 FG% | 58.3 FT% | 25.0 3PT%

INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Albertus

• Jakara Murray-Leach 25 Points | 15 Rebounds | 2 Blocks | 2 Steals
• Caitlyn Scott 19 Points | 5 Rebounds | 5 Assists
• Diamond White 16 Points | 8 Steals | 6 Rebounds | 6 Assists

Wesleyan

• Felicia Fongemie 19 Points | 6 Rebounds | 4 Assists
• Olivia Quinn 16 Points | 5 Rebounds
• Tori DaCosta 13 points | 9 Rebounds

NOTEWORTHY

• The Falcons have now outscored opponents, 224-173 in the third quarter this season.
• With the win, the Falcons snapped a four-game losing streak to Wesleyan.
• All ties in the game came in the first quarter as did all six lead changes. 
• The Falcons forced 18 turnovers, leading to 24 points. 
• Albertus finished with 52 points in the paint, the second most it has had in a game this season.
• It was the third straight game Murray-Leach scored at least 24 points.
• Scott and White have both scored in double digits in every game this season.
• The Falcons remain in first place, 7-3 overall and 1-0 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference.

UP NEXT

The Falcons host Baruch on Friday, December 8 at 5:30 p.m. in The Nest.