Worcester, MA --- Elle Fontaine (Franklin, MA) and Lauren Hannmann (East Greenbush, NY) combined for 27 first half points and freshman Kelly Morgan (Brookline, NH) poured in a career-best 13 points to help host WPI remain undefeated in NEWMAC play with a 75-44 victory over Clark on Saturday afternoon. With the victory, the Engineers move to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play while Clark falls to 1-5 on the season and 0-2 in NEWMAC action.
After Clark opened the game with a pair of Emily Reilly (Marlboro, MA) free throws, the Engineers ran off 14 straight points to grab a lead they would not relinquish. The WPI defense forced Clark to miss its first seven shots from the field and harassed the Cougars into five turnovers before they connected on a field goal.
The visitors clawed back at the end of the first half and the beginning part of the second stanza to get within four at 40-36 with 17:13 left, but the WPI defense again stiffened, holding the Cougars to without a basket for a stretch of 9:35 to seal the contest.
Hannmann highlighted four WPI players in double figures with 18 points while Fontaine amassed her second straight double-double and 11th of her career. The senior notched season-highs of 17 points and 11 rebounds. Logan added 15 points while Morgan and classmate Sam Meyerhoff (Davenport, NY) anchored WPI's bench effort with 17 of 21 points tallied by reserves.
Baillie McNally (Mapleville, RI) and Melissa Kuhn (Stoughton, MA) shared game-high honors with five assists each for the Crimson and Gray. Fontaine led all players on the day with three blocks and three steals.
Megan Grondin (Cumberland, ME) led the Clark charge with 13 points, including a 5-for-7 performance from the free throw line. Reilly had a strong all-around game for the Cougars, scoring10 points, grabbing eight rebounds and a swiping a pair of steals. The trio of Maggie Croft (East Aurora, NY), Brittany Kennedy (West Hartford, RI) and Ivori Aiken (Harlem, NY) combined for 13 points off the bench for the visitors.
Clark got a boost from the free throw line in the first half, draining all nine of its attempts but could only connect on 4-of-11 after the intermission.
Both teams continue NEWMAC play on Tuesday. WPI heads to Springfield to take on the Pride at 7pm while Clark entertains Wheaton at 7pm.