Worcester, MA --- Kathleen King (Framingham, MA) notched season-highs of 19 points and 18 rebounds to lift nationally-ranked Babson to a hard-fought 59-51 victory over host WPI in a battle of undefeated NEWMAC women's basketball teams on Friday evening.     

Babson, ranked eighth in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25, remained undefeated on the season at 8-0 and 4-0 in conference play.  The Beavers have now won 28 of their 29 games overall and 29 straight versus NEWMAC opponents.  WPI slips to 5-3 on the season and 3-1 in NEWMAC action.   

After WPI had whittled a nine-point Babson lead to one at 47-46 with just over four minutes, Allanah Wynn (Quincy, MA) drilled a 3-pointer to give the Beavers some breathing room.   The Engineers would get within three points with 1:17 remaining but the visitors canned 5-of-8 free throws in the final minute to secure the victory.

Nicki Wurdeman (Rowley, MA) filled the stat sheets for the Beavers.  The preseason All-America registered 13 points, collected eight rebounds, swiped a game-high five steals and tallied a pair of blocks.  Center Sarah Collins (Weymouth, MA) aided the Babson effort with 11 points, seven rebounds and four blocks.  The trio of King, Wurdeman, and Collins netted 43 of the Beavers 59 points and helped them hold a 36-18 edge in points of the paint.

Elle Fontaine (Franklin, MA) posted her third double of season and 12th of her career.  The senior led WPI with 15 points and 10 rebounds while playing all 40 minutes for the Engineers.  Lauren Hannmann (East Greenbush, NY) tossed in all nine of her points in the first half for the Engineers, who helped their cause by connecting on 17-of-22 free throws on the night.

Melissa Kuhn (Stoughton, MA) totaled all seven of her points in the second half while Hannmann,Baillie McNally (Mapleville, RI) Theresa Logan (Southboro, MA) all grabbed five rebounds.     

WPI is off until after the Christmas holiday.  The Engineers host Becker on Thursday, December 30th at 2pm in the opener for a men's and women's doubleheader against the Hawks.  Babson has nine days off for final exams before heading west for the Las Vegas Hoopla.  The Beavers will face Roanoke (VA) on December 19th and Oneonta State (NY) on December 21st.