Lewiston, ME -- For a second straight game, the WPI women's basketball squad faced an unbeaten opponent and Sunday afternoon the Engineers were doomed by a slow start as host Bates limited the guests to just two first quarter points as the Bobcats posted a 58-37 triumph in iconic Alumni Gym.
Bates remains undefeated at 5-0 overall while the Engineers dip to 4-3 on the season.
The hosts used a stifling defense to jump out to an 8-0 lead seven minutes into the game before WPI's Adrianna Niles (Tewksbury, MA) nailed a jumper from just inside the free throw line to dent the scoring column. The Bobcats however scored on their final four possessions of the quarter with eight points from Sarah Hughes (Rumson, NJ) and a 3-pointer by Sophie Spolter (Blacklick, OH) resulting in an 18-2 edge after the opening stanza.
Bates also used hot-shooting to end the second quarter, draining 4-of-5 field goals during a 10-0 spurt just before a Niles jumper in the finals 10 seconds of the half made the score 40-10 at the intermission.
The two teams each scored 11 points in the third quarter with the WPI defense taking centerstage, limiting the Bobcats to just 18.8% (3-of-16) shooting from the floor. Niles had four points in the quarter with Emmy Allyn (Rutland, MA), Megan Stone (Hanson, MA) and Ava Giansiracusa (Wethersfield, CT) also connecting with baskets in the frame.
The visitors enjoyed their most success in the final quarter as senior Alice Kelly (Wethersfield, CT) registered 11 points in the fourth as the Engineers outscored the hosts 16-8 down the stretch.
Niles (10 points) joined Kelly in double figure scoring for the Crimson and Gray. The junior led WPI on the glass with five boards and added a pair steals, a block and an assist. Giansiracusa chipped in with seven points, three defensive rebounds and two swipes.
Bates did not have a player reach double digits in scoring but saw all 11 players who played tally points led by nine each from Hughes and Mya Hicks (Ann Arbor, MI). The Bobcats held a commanding 44-27 advantage on the boards, resulting in a 14-3 bulge in second chance points.
WPI is off until a week from today, hosting Salem State on Sunday, December 3rd. Tipoff is scheduled for 1pm. Bates begins a stretch of four straight games versus opponents from Maine, the first three of which on the road, on Tuesday at 7:30pm at Husson.