Women's Basketball (2-0) Captures Tip-Off Tournament Crown, Hickey Named MVP

The Wheaton College women's basketball team opened its season with a pair of victories while winning the 16th Wheaton Tip-Off Tournament over the weekend, downing Lasell College, 92-53 on Saturday before picking up a 72-57 triumph against Wentworth Institute of Technology on Sunday. Senior Krystin Hickey (Manchester, NH/New Hampton School) was named most valuable player, while junior Andrea Bailey (Needham, MA/Needham) landed on the all-tournament team.

The Lyons had a historic offensive outburst against Lasell, recording their highest scoring output since netting 100 on February 13, 1997, while their 29 assists and 39 field goals were the program's most since February 3, 1994. The helper total was one shy of the program record, while Wheaton tied for fifth in buckets. Hickey netted 20 points in 15 minutes, shooting 8-of-11, including 4-of-4 from three-point range, and senior Bri Smith (Westford, MA/Westford Academy) totaled 16 points and five assists, as she shot 6-of-9 overall and 4-of-7 from deep. Freshman Gabbie DePalo (Rumson, NJ/Rumson-Fair Haven Regional) went 5-of-6 for 13 points and five rebounds in her college debut, while junior Ida Kruse (Vershire, VT/Rivendell Academy) had 11 points. Classmate Callie Schneider (Nashua, NH/Bishop Guertin) notched eight points in going 4-of-4, and Bailey had six assists and six rebounds.

Against Wentworth, Wheaton turned a two-point halftime deficit into a lead early in the second period to spark a 46-point stanza. Junior Jenny Champney (Bedford, MA/Bedford) collected 19 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, while Hickey finished with 13 points, six boards and three steals. DePalo shot 4-of-5 for 10 points while snagging five caroms, Bailey had eight points and eight assists, and Smith totaled eight points and seven helpers.

Hickey moved into fifth in program history in career points during Sunday's contest, as she now has 1,201. Hickey is also fifth in field goals (466) and ninth in three-pointers (73), while Smith is third in threes (123). Champney is tied for sixth in blocks (72), and Bailey is tied for 10th in assists (195).