Norton, MA --- Senior Ama Biney (Worcester, MA) scored 18 points and recorded five steals, four assists and four rebounds while the Engineers used a fast start to roar past Wheaton, 71-47, in a NEWMAC Women's Basketball matchup Saturday in Emerson Gymnasium.
The Crimson and Gray improve to 10-3 and 3-1 while the Lyons dip to 6-7 and 1-3.
Junior Alyssa Paul (Schaghticoke, NY) came off the bench to score 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting, including a pair from beyond the arc, in just 12 minutes of play. Senior Stasha Greenalch (Newington, CT) contributed 11 points, six defensive rebounds, six assists and three steals. Senior Madison Beck (Syracuse, NY) led the Engineers with eight boards.
As a team, the Engineers held the Lyons to 33.6 percent shooting, which is the ninth time the Crimson and Gray have held their opponent's shooting below 40 percent in 13 games. They entered the game ranked third in Division III yielding only 44.7 percent.
Wheaton was paced by senior Rebecca Olivieri (Milton, MA) with nine points and classmate Maria Matrango (West Yarmouth, MA) with seven rebounds. Senior Ruthie Zientek (Holmdel, NJ) chipped in with four defensive boards, four assists and a steal.
After taking the initial 2-0 lead, Wheaton countered with a three by senior Emily Cuthbertson (Hudson, NH) for the lone Lyon advantage of the game. The Engineers then closed out the first quarter with a 24-0 run which began with a three by senior Brittney Lambert (Hudson, NH).
The second quarter saw a more balanced offense by Wheaton, who won the quarter 17-13, after shooting 50 percent from the floor and three-point range, led by six points from Olivieri and five from sophomore Natalie Wind (New Canaan, CT).
Trailing 39-20 after the one half of action, the two sides battled back and forth for every point but the Lyons were unable to rebound from the deficit. The Engineers then outscored the Lyons 32-27 in the second half.
Both teams are on the road Tuesday at 7pm as WPI is at Clark and Wheaton is at Coast Guard.
Portion Release Courtesy Wheaton College