BOSTON, Mass. -- Simmons Basketball made a second half comeback but it was not enough as the Johnson and Wales Wildcats outlasted the Sharks 56-49 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play Thursday evening at the Holmes Sports Center. Jenna Juron posted a team high 19 points as the Wildcats picked up their first GNAC win of the season.

The first four minutes of the first half were scoreless as both teams showed poise and control on defense. Johnson and Wales struck first off strong play by Ayla Walter who recording 13 points and six rebounds on the evening. The Sharks buried a well-timed three to start a run in the first half. Liz O'Connor (Milton, Mass.) was a force in the paint, going 7-9 from the line, and finishing with a season high of 25 points.

With four seconds to play in the half, the Sharks turned the ball over but the Wildcats three was short to keep the game tied at 22.

The second half saw several lead changes early until the Sharks went up by eight off two consecutive three-pointers from Hannah May (Hamden, Conn.) off of quick passing from Brittany Dolloff (Hollis, N.H.). Senior Alex Acloque (Randolph, Mass.) picked up 11 rebounds for the Sharks and fed classmate Jessica Thomas (Sandwich, Mass.) as she sunk two from behind the arc.

The Wildcats rebounded in the later half of the second, closing the gap and did not relinquish their lead again, shooting 100% from the line from Chrissy Toth and Samantha Hendrick. Up by seven with a minute to play, the Sharks were unable to convert as the Wildcats picked up their first conference win of the year.

The Sharks (2-10, 0-2 GNAC) host Saint Joseph College (Conn.) on Saturday, January 14th at 2:00 p.m. for another GNAC matchup. Johnson & Wales (5-9, 1-1 GNAC) travels to Anna Maria on the same date for a 1:00 p.m. start.