Basketball Dropped By WPI, 59-51

Game Statistics

WORCESTER, Mass. (Jan. 13, 2010) – With sophomore guard Lauren Hannmann leading the way, the WPI women’s basketball team grabbed a 59-51 win over Mount Holyoke College this evening at Harrington Auditorium. It was the Engineers fourth straight victory over their New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) counterparts.

Hannmann piled up a game best 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor for WPI, which converted 46.0% (23-50) of its shots from the field and 90.9% (10-11) of its free throw attempts. The Engineers also received a boost from junior guard Melissa Kuhn, who finished with nine points, seven rebounds and four assists. Sophomore guard Baillie McNally added nine points and six boards.

Leading the way for Mount Holyoke were first year guard Angelica Pascual and senior guard Erin Cain, who recorded 14 and 13 points, respectively. Pascual knocked down two three pointers, while Cain made three. As a team, the Lyons drained six shots from beyond the arc. Senior forward Jess Olson chipped in with eight points and a game best eight rebounds. The guests fell for the sixth time in a row despite winning the battle of the boards 33-28. They shot 39.6% (21-53) from the field.

Mount Holyoke raced out to a 9-2 advantage and led 17-11 after a layup by Pascual at the 10:05 mark. The Lyons still enjoyed a 21-16 edge with 6:12 remaining in the opening frame, but WPI erupted for seven straight points over the next two minutes to gain a 23-21 lead. Hannmann drilled a three pointer with six seconds to go put the hosts in front 28-27 at the break. Pascual led all scorers with 12 points in the first half. Hannmann had eight for the Engineers.

WPI (9-5, 5-2 NEWMAC) outscored the Lyons 17-6 over the first eight minutes of the second stanza to gain control of the contest. A McNally trifecta gave the Engineers a 45-33 edge at the 12:19 mark. Mount Holyoke was able to slice the deficit to five points on three occasions down the stretch, but WPI held on for its fifth Conference triumph of the season.

Mount Holyoke (4-10, 2-5 NEWMAC) will return to action on Saturday, when it visits MIT for a NEWMAC tilt beginning at 2:00 p.m. The Lyons next home game is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 20 against the Coast Guard Academy at 7:00 p.m.