MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- Wesleyan raced out to a 15-2 lead in the opening 5:40 of the game and never looked back in defeating Simmons, 81-45, in women's basketball action this evening. Wesleyan, now 9-3 on the season, begins NESCAC play this weekend in its next contests, facing Colby Fri., Jan. 10 and Bowdoin Sat., Jan. 11, both on the road.  Simmons (2-9) returns to action Wed., Jan. 15, hosting Johnson & Wales in its opening Great Northeast Athletic Conference matchup.

The Cardinals scored on seven of their first 12 possessions while Simmons had just one basket and eight turnovers to start the game as Wesleyan built the early 13-point lead.  The difference grew to 20 with eight minutes left in the period (26-6) and peaked at 27 (40-13) before the Sharks ended the half on an 11-5 run to narrow the margin at intermission to 45-24.  Ahead 56-32 in the second half, Wesleyan scored 12 in a row for a commanding 66-32 lead.  The 36-point final margin was the largest of the game.  Wesleyan is now 2-0 vs. Simmons, having won the first game between the teams in Boston a year ago, 57-42.

Wesleyan got 14 points from senior KellyAnn Rooney and 12 points and eight rebounds from sophomore Kaylie Williams.  Sophomore Jackie Brown added 10 points.  Junior Cherkira Lashley chipped in with seven points and nine rebounds.  Simmons was led by freshman Kim Hixon (Taunton, Mass.) with 10 points.  Sophomore Jen Janiak (Chelmsford, Mass.) added nine points while freshman Ashley McAdams (Freeport, N.Y.) picked up eight points and nine rebounds.