Simmons Basketball broke their winless streak on Saturday with a 64-52 victory over non-conference visitors Lesley University. Junior Brittany Dolloff (Hollis, N.H.) scored a game-high 22 points and sophomore teammate Liz O'Connor (Milton, Mass.) had a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Sharks to the win. Simmons improves to 5-6 on the season (0-0 GNAC) while the Lynx drop to 2-7 with the loss.

In addition to Dolloff and OConnor, freshman Leah Davis (Cranston, R.I.) scored a strong 15 points for the Sharks on the day.

Simmons built up a lead of 16-11 within the first ten minutes of play, as both teams worked to get into a rhythm. Two successive free throws by Rachel O'Mara brought Lesley up to 16-13. Dolloff, O'Connor, and senior Liane Lantagne (Haverhill, Mass.) put away three field goals that brought the score to 22-14 after a Kaitlyn Wechsler free throw.

At 1:11 remaining, Dolloff and Davis put away two floating three-pointers and Simmons pulled away to a decisive 28-18 lead at the half.

The second half opened up with a seven point Sharks run, bringing the score to 35-18. Simmons continued to pull away until the eight-minute mark, bringing the score to 52-37.

The Lynx began to fight back, bringing the score as close as 58-48 at 2:39 remaining, and to 60-52 at the one-minute mark, but the Sharks held on for the 64-52 win.

Lesley was led by Wechsler with a team-high 20 points. Teammate Brianne Caira hit a double-double of 19 points and 10 boards, with seven blocks. Rachael O'Mara contributed eight points and five rebounds to the effort.

Simmons returns to action on Tuesday, January 11 at 7:00pm when they travel to Johnson and Wales to open Great Northeast Athletic Conference play. Lesley will next face Bay Path College on January 13 for a NECC game.