NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Wellesley College basketball dropped its consolation round game 65-53 to Keene State University at the Ed Hockenbury Classic on Saturday at Andrews Gym.

Junior Valerie Luizzi (Colchester, Conn.) led all individuals with 23 points, including four made threes, and had eight rebounds. Sophomore Brynn Rautiola (Rindge, N.H.) contributed 21 points for the Owls (3-5) with five made triples.

First year Ava Shane (Plano, Texas) scored 13 points for the Blue (3-6) with six rebounds. Sophomore Trinity Barrow (Evans, Ga.) tacked on a dozen points with a trio of assists and steals. Senior Caitlin Windross (Eastvale, Calif.) made a pair of threes and finished with 11 points.

Down nine two minutes into the fourth quarter, Wellesley dug deep to score nine points to tie the game at 48-48 with a layup from Barrow. The teams traded three pointers before Keene State's shooting made it 59-50 with four minutes remaining. A Barrow three wasn't enough for the Blue, as the team fell 65-53. 

The Owls opened with a five point run in the first three minutes before Wellesley answered back with four points. Neither team led by more than six in the first, with Keene State up 15-9 after one frame of action.

The Blue rallied with a 19-14 second quarter to make it 29-28 Keene State by halftime. After trailing by 11 at 20-9, Wellesley launched an offensive attack with 13 consecutive points to go up by two. The Owls retook the lead, with both teams staying within two possessions of one another for the rest of the quarter.

After a 4-4 start to the third quarter, an 8-0 stretch put the Owls up nine. By the end of the third quarter, Wellesley trimmed its deficit to eight with a hook shot from sophomore Mirella Funari (Phoenix, Ariz.).

Barrow represented Wellesley on the All-Classic Team after averaging 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and 2.5 steals in two games. 

Wellesley will return to Dorothy Towne Fieldhouse to host Salem State University at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, December 10. Keene State welcomes Plymouth State University on Wednesday, December 11 at 5:30 PM.