WORCESTER – WPI parlayed 20 offensive rebounds into all 16 of the game's second chance points as the Engineers knocked off visiting Emerson 54-48 Saturday evening in the NEWMAC opener for both squads. 

WPI improves to 5-1 on the season and 1-0 in conference action, while the Lions slip to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in NEWMAC play. 

Seven different players notched first quarter field goals for the Crimson and Gray, who scored the first seven points of the game while forcing Emerson to misfire on its first four attempts from the field and commit a pair of turnovers on its opening six possessions over the first four minutes.  The Lions battled back, holding the hosts to just 15% shooting (3-of-20) in the second quarter, to shave a 12 point first quarter deficit to trail just 23-18 at the half. 

Emerson began the second half by rattling off the first 10 points to surge ahead 33-28 midway through the third quarter following a 3-pointer by Maya Savino (Killingsworth, CT) but second chance buckets by Stasha Greenalch (Newington, CT) and Priscilla Dunphy (Barrington, RI), coupled with trifectas from Greenalch and Sarah Rogers (Colchester, CT) gave the Engineers a 35-32 edge headed to the fourth quarter.   In the final frame the hosts never trailed and connected on 5-of-11 shots from the floor and canned 9-of-15 free throws to secure the victory. 

Greenalch led the offensive parade for both teams with 12 points off the bench for WPI while Rogers and Ama Biney (Worcester, MA) helped the Engineers enjoy a 28-16 edge in bench scoring with eight and six points respectively.  Dunphy flirted with a double-double, totaling 10 points and nine rebounds (four offensive), and Jessica Larsen (Poway, CA) tossed in six points to go along with five boards.        

Kelsey Johnson (Syracuse, NY) amassed team-bests of 10 points and five rebounds (all defensive) for the guests.  Sierra Ducey (Poway, CA) joined Johnson with five boards to go along with six points while Eastin Ashby (Pittston, PA) tallied a pair of 3-pointers on her way to nine points.  Natalie Busch (Weybridge, England) and Charlie Boyle (Scotts Valley, CA) both netted six points off the bench for the Lions. 

NEWMAC action for both squads continues on Wednesday at 7pm.  WPI plays host to Wellesley while Emerson ventures to Babson.  

A photo posted by WPI Athletics (@wpiathletics) on Nov 28, 2015 at 3:36pm PST

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