MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- The Bates College women's basketball team extended its NESCAC winning streak to four games with a decisive 64-50 road victory over Wesleyan University Sunday afternoon. The Bobcats (14-8, 4-4 NESCAC) used a dominant second quarter and a strong defensive finish to secure the win at Silloway Gymnasium.

After coming out of the first quarter with a slight 13-12 advantage, the Bobcats trailed briefly at 16-14 in the second quarter before embarking on a 20-2 scoring run over an eight-minute stretch in the frame.  During that span, Alexandra Long hit a three (8:03), Lily Brown sank two free throws (6:57), and Ava James converted a layup (3:25) to push the lead to 32-18. A late fast-break bucket by Sarah Hughes capped off a dominant quarter, sending Bates into halftime with a 34-20 advantage.

Wesleyan (8-14, 2-6 NESCAC) fought back in the third, cutting the deficit to four points at 41-37 after a three-pointer from Meghan Kirck (2:20). However, Mya Hicks responded immediately with a clutch three-pointer (2:03), and Hughes added a fast-break layup (6:24) to regain control. Despite a 22-point quarter from Wesleyan, Bates still held a 46-42 lead entering the final period.

The Bobcats locked in defensively in the final frame, holding Wesleyan to just eight points. Long and Hicks combined for back-to-back layups (9:05, 7:50) to extend the lead to seven, and Elsa Daulerio took over late with consecutive buckets in the paint (4:54, 4:13). A deep three from Abby Walsh (3:27) pushed the lead to 18, sealing the victory.

Long led the Bobcats with 15 points on 7-11 shooting while adding four assists and three steals. Hughes contributed nine points and six rebounds, including key fast-break buckets to maintain Bates' momentum. Daulerio anchored the paint with eight points and a game-high 12 rebounds. James knocked down two three-pointers and finished with eight points.

The Bobcats will look to continue their hot streak when they return home to face Connecticut College this Friday at 7:00 p.m.