Second Half Barrage Pushes WPI Past Basketball, 56-44

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Feb. 11, 2010) – The WPI women’s basketball team used a dominant second half to secure a 56-44 triumph over New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) foe Mount Holyoke College this evening at the Mildred S. Howard Gymnasium. It was the Engineers fifth straight win over the Lyons and 150th in the career of head coach Cherise Galasso.

Three players reached double digits in the scoring column for WPI, which converted 41.2% (21-51) of its attempts from the field and 73.3% (11-15) of its free throw attempts. The Engineers were paced by junior guard Melissa Kuhn, who posted 12 points, seven rebounds and a pair of assists. First year forward Theresa Logan totaled 12 points and five boards off the bench. Meanwhile, junior forward Elle Fontaine added 10 points.

Leading the way for Mount Holyoke was first year guard Angelica Pascual, who recorded 11 points, 10 rebounds and three assists for her third double-double of the season. She also knocked down two of her team’s five three pointers. Senior forward Jess Olson matched Pascual with 11 points to go with seven boards for the Lyons, who made 33.3% (18-54) of their shots from the field and finished with a 39-33 advantage on the glass.

Neither side led by more than four points in a first half that saw six ties and three lead changes. A three pointer by Olson gave Mount Holyoke a 17-13 edge at the 5:57 mark. The Lyons led 24-20 following a trey by junior guard Emilie Methot with 1:57 remaining in the period, but WPI rallied for the next four points to knot things up at 24-24 heading into the break. Olson led all scorers with nine points at the intermission. Fontaine had eight for the guests.

Mount Holyoke controlled play in the early stages of the second stanza, outscoring the visitors 7-2 over the first four minutes. A three ball by Pascual put the Lyons in front 31-26.

From there, it was all WPI. The Engineers ran off the next 15 points to open up a 41-31 advantage with 7:17 remaining in regulation. Following a pair of free throws by sophomore forward Tricia Chase, WPI responded with 11 more unanswered points to extend its cushion to 52-33 at the 3:32 mark.

When all was said and done, the Engineers outscored Mount Holyoke 26-2 over a span of 12:33. The Lyons failed to convert a field goal during the barrage. Logan registered all 12 of her points after the break. With the win, WPI completed the season sweep of the Lyons.

Both squads will resume their NEWMAC schedules on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Proceeds from admissions fees to Mount Holyoke’s (7-15, 5-10 NEWMAC) regular season home finale against MIT will be donated to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. Pink ribbons will be available for purchase at the “Pink Zone” event, with the proceeds going to the fund. Fans are encouraged to wear pink and contribute to breast cancer research initiatives. WPI (14-8, 10-5 NEWMAC) will travel to Wellesley College, where “Pink Zone” activities will also be taking place.