Worcester, MA --- Theresa Logan (Southboro, MA) poured in 22 points and pulled in six rebounds to lead WPI to a 53-36 win over Mount Holyoke on Wednesday night in women's basketball action at Harrington Auditorium.
WPI, winners of four straight, move into a tie for the sixth and final NEWMAC Tournament berth with Wheaton, a 47-42 loser to Wellesley on Wednesday evening. The Engineers are now 8-14 overall and 6-9 in the NEWMAC while Mount Holyoke falls to 4-17 and 2-13 in conference.
The game was a defensive struggle early on, as both teams combined to shoot 2-of-16 in the opening six minutes. The Engineers would ultimately embark on a 17-2 run to take control of the game, making four straight shots during one stretch capped off by a jumper from Logan. Scoring by WPI was evenly distributed for most of the first half, as six different Engineers found their way into the points column. The Lyons would attempt to answer back with a 7-2 rally including a 3-pointer from Angelica Pascual (Lawrence, MA), putting up a stiff defensive effort and crashing the offensive glass. But WPI responded, with Lauren Hannmann (East Greenbush, NY) hitting a big mid-range jumper and Cindy Chelius (Northfield, NJ) burying a layup with 3:07 left in the half. WPI would go into halftime leading 23-13.
The second half again started slowly, as the teams played evenly through the first six minutes of the second period. Mount Holyoke began showing a full-court press, cutting their deficit to 29-23, the closest the game had been since early in the first half. They were poised to pull within four when Dani Davis (East Granby, CT) swooped in from behind to block a Lyons layup, taking the rebound and finding Logan at the other end, drawing the foul under the basket and making two free throws. That would help spark an 11-4 run by WPI, with the other bookend coming on a layup by Kelly Morgan (Brookline, NH) with 7:30 remaining in the game, and Mount Holyoke would not threaten again. The Engineers took their biggest lead of the game when Logan hit a jumper with 1:49 remaining to put her team up 53-36.
In addition to leading WPI in scoring, rebounding and 9-of-14 shooting, Logan tallied three steals on the night. Chelius contributed an all-around effort with ten points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. Morgan scored six points off the bench. Davis had big night at the defensive end with three blocks and a steal to go along with five points and a team-high four assists. The WPI defense forced the Lyons into 18 turnovers and shooting only 28 percent from the floor. After falling behind 2-0 in the first minute of the game, the Engineers never trailed again.
Pascual led Mount Holyoke with nine points, four rebounds and a game-high five assists.Christine Chancy (Miami, FL) pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds along with six points.Amber Legare (Chicopee, MA) finished with eight points and eight boards to along with two blocks. Tricia Chase (Feeding Hills, MA) added seven points while corralling eight rebounds.
WPI heads out of town for its final road trip of the regular season. The Engineers begin their two-game swing Saturday at 2pm at Wellesley. Mount Holyoke begins a three-game season-ending home stand the same day, hosting Coast Guard at 1pm.
Story written by Mike Rupp - WPI Athletics