Second Half Surge Pushes Basketball Past MIT, 64-54

Game Statistics

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Jan. 24, 2009) – Powered by junior Erin Cain and first year Christine Chancy, the Mount Holyoke College women’s basketball team upended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 64-54 this afternoon in New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action at the Mildred Howard Gymnasium. It was the Lyons second straight win and third in their last four outings.

Three players reached double digits in the scoring column for Mount Holyoke, which shot 38.2% (21-55) from the floor and 77.3% (17-22) from the free throw line. Cain knocked down all five of the Lyons three pointers en route to a career best 24 points. Meanwhile, Chancy converted all ten of her attempts from the free stripe on her way to a season high 16 points. The guard also grabbed ten rebounds to complete her fourth double-double of the season. Junior center Kate Shafir and first year forward Tricia Chase chipped in with 11 points and eight boards, respectively. Mount Holyoke finished with a 40-28 advantage on the glass.

Leading the way for MIT was first year guard Jamie Simmons, who tallied 17 points and a game high four assists. She drained five of the Engineers eight three pointers. Senior guard Clara Yuan totaled nine points, while first year forward Hannah Sparkman  added eight. Senior forward Cheryl Kwinn pulled down a team best six rebounds. MIT made 44.9% (22-4) of its attempts from the field but shot just 22.2% (2-9) from the free throw line.

Neither team led by more than seven points in a first half that saw one tie and eight lead changes. After falling behind 27-20, MIT rallied for eight straight points to go in front 28-27 with just over one minute remaining in the opening frame. Mount Holyoke notched the final three points of the half and took a 30-28 edge into the locker room. Cain posted 16 points before the break to lead all scorers. Simmons had eight for the Engineers.

Leading 36-35 at the 14:56 mark of the second stanza, Mount Holyoke pulled away with a 21-6 run over the next ten minutes. Following Cain’s rally capping trifecta, the Lyons enjoyed a 57-41 advantage. Their 16 point cushion was their largest of the afternoon. The hosts went 5-of-7 from the charity stripe down the stretch to ice things. Chancy registered ten of her 16 points after the break.

Both squads will take on NEWMAC foes on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Mount Holyoke (5-12, 2-3 NEWMAC) will host archrival Smith College, while MIT (4-11, 0-5 NEWMAC) will travel to Wheaton College.