NEW LONDON, Conn.—Senior Kaitlyn Cresencia (New Providence, N.J.) poured in 12 points and grabbed four rebounds and three steals to lead the Connecticut College women's basketball team to a convincing 54-35 victory over Middlebury College in a NESCAC Sunday matinee played at Luce Field House.

Cresencia was 5-for-8 from the field and a perfect 2-for-2 from long distance.

With the win, the Camels improve their record to 12-3 with a 2-1 mark in conference action. The Panthers slip to 10-6 while evening their mark at 2-2 in NESCAC play.

Junior Willa McKinley (Westport, N.Y.) joined Cresencia in double-figures with 11 points.  Mairead Hynes (Mahopac, N.Y.) finished with 10 points and eight rebounds for the Camels. Jenna Lovett (Tolland, Conn.) ripped down a game-high 10 rebounds to go with her six points.

Middlebury College senior forward Rachel Crews (South Burlington, Vt.) finished with a game-high 13 points and six rebounds to lead the visitors. Freshman Sarah Kaufman (Boulder, Colo.) chipped in with 12 points and six rebounds for the Panthers.  Elizabeth Knox (Falmouth, Mass.) reached double digits with 10 points and six rebounds for Middlebury.

The Camel raced out to an 11-2 lead in the first half.  Cresencia buried a three ball from the left side with 17:50 to go before Lovett capped the rally with a free throw at the 17:24 mark for the Camels.

The Camels used another 8-to-0 run to build a 23-10 lead on the Panthers.  Lovett capped the rally when she put back an offensive board with 6:55 to go.

But the Panthers ended the half with a 6-to-1 run of their own. Knox banked in a runner with 2:44 remaining and the Camels carried the 24-16 edge into the break

The Camels built a 26-18 lead when Hynes converted a hoop in the paint with 18:04 remaining in regulation. But the Panthers countered with a 9-0 run to take one-point lead on the hosts. Knox converted back to back field goals before Crews closed out the run with a pair of free throws to put the Panthers on top 27-26 with 15:23 to play.

But Cresencia answered with a three ball from the left side of the arch with 14:41 remaining that put the Camels on top for good, 29-27.

Connecticut College broke the game open with a 23-to-2 run over a 7:20 span to take a 54-32 lead with 3:56 to play.

McKinley and Hynes used a little pick and roll action with 5:09 to play when Hynes created an opening that left McKinley open for a jumper that pushed the lead to 50-32.  After McKinley knocked down another jumper, Hynes closed out the scoring surge with a pair of free throws to push the lead to 54-32.

The Camels were able to hold the Panthers to one field goal in the final four minutes to close out the 54-35 win.

Connecticut College enjoyed a 49-33 advantage on the backboards.

Carlee Smith (Wilimantic, Conn.) dished out six assists for the Camels and has accounted for 320 helpers in her career.