THE BASICS:

- Score: Wesleyan University 46, MIT 44

- Records: MIT (14-6); Wesleyan (12-8)

- Location: MIddletown, Conn. (Silloway Gymnasium)

- The Lead: Three free throws during the final 2:46 of regulation would be just enough for Wesleyan University as it came from behind to defeat MIT, 46-44, in non-conference women's basketball action on Tuesday night. First-year Christina Antonakakis (Holdmel, N.J.) paced the Engineers with 11 points while grabbing two steals.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

- MIT generated seven points in a span of 1:07 to take a 7-2 lead early in the first quarter. Wesleyan, however, gradually put together a 12-2 run, going up 14-9 with 52 seconds left. The Engineers ended their lengthy scoring drought courtesy of an Antonakakis three-pointer eight seconds later.

- The visitors carried the momentum into the second stanza as a layup by senior Maude Gull (Zurich, Switzerland) and a jumper from Antonakakis put MIT in front, 16-14, after 59 seconds elapsed. The Cardinals knotted the score with 7:27 on the clock, setting off an exchange of baskets that resulted in a 22-22 tie heading into halftime.

- The balanced scoring continued in the third quarter until Wesleyan generated a 10-4 run, resulting in a 38-33 lead with 1:21 remaining. The Engineers responded with a layup by sophomore Jocelyn Luizzi (Colchester, Conn.) and two free throws from Antonakakis inside the last 31 seconds to come within one heading into the final frame.

- MIT scored the first five points of the quarter as Antonakakis's layup gave it a 42-38 lead at the 6:50 mark. A minute later, Wesleyan knocked down a three-pointer, ending its six-minute scoring drought. A layup by senior Dolly Yuan (San Jose, Calif.) increased the Engineers' cushion, but it was immediately matched by the Cardinals, bringing them within 44-43.

- The score would remain unchanged until Wesleyan converted both free-throw attempts, reclaiming the lead with 2:46 left. Following several unsuccessful possessions by both teams, the Cardinals increased their lead to 46-44 after hitting the second of two free throws with 1:20 to go.

- Down the stretch MIT was unable to connect on a pair of layups, but Yuan collected a defensive rebound to set up the Engineers' final possession with 6.5 seconds remaining. MIT was fouled after inbounding the ball, leaving 1.3 seconds on the clock. Following another timeout by the Engineers, senior Kara Holinski (Livonia, Mich.) caught the ball in the near corner but her long turnaround jumper hit in the inside of the rim and bounced out as time expired.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

- Luizzi tied her career-high in rebounding with a team-best nine boards while contributing six points. Sophomore Kylie Gallagher (Upton, Mass.) notched seven points and five rebounds as Yuan recorded six points and seven rebounds. Holinski and Gull also finished with six points.

- The Engineers held a slight edge in points off turnovers (14-9) and points in the paint (22-18). Wesleyan led the way in rebounds (53-36) and second-chance points (20-11). The Cardinals also had the upper hand at the free-throw line as they went 11-of-13 while MIT was 7-of-12.

UP NEXT:

- MIT resumes NEWMAC play on Saturday, Feb. 2 when it hosts Mount Holyoke College at 2:00 p.m.

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