SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – Behind a career-high 29-point effort from junior guard Sabrina Drammis, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) posted a 75-56 win over Mount Holyoke College in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Saturday. The victory moves the Engineers to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while the Lyons slip to 1-7 on the season and are 0-1 in the NEWMAC.
In addition to her 29 points on 12-of-17 shooting, Drammis also recorded a game-best 15 rebounds, while adding an assist and a steal. Senior guard Osheiza Otori (Metairie, La./Ridgewood Preparatory) notched 20 points, including a 3-for-7 effort from three-point range. She also had two assists, a block and a game-best three steals. Junior forward Maya Ramachandran (Fremont, Calif./Mission San Jose) added six points and eight boards for the Engineers.
For the Lyons, senior forward Amber Legare (Chicopee, Mass./Chicopee Comprehensive) posted a team-high 17 points, adding 11 rebounds, three assists and a block. It was her fifth double-double of the season and fourth consecutive dating back to November 23. Senior guard Kate Karraker (Morgantown, W.V./Taft School) added 15 points, four caroms, three assists and a steal, while junior guard Genelle Green (Windsor, Conn./Miss Porter's School) added 13 points and eight boards.
It was a close battle to start the game as the Lyons jumped out the early 4-0 lead. MIT rallied back, later tying the game on a jumper by Drammis. After an Engineers go-ahead, Green once again tied it for the Lyons on a three-pointer with 14:38 to go (10-10). The game remained close until the 7:42 mark as a 6-0 run by MIT made it a 24-18 advantage, including a pair of free throw makes from senior guard Mari Kordell (Ijamsville, Md./Urbana).
The Engineers continued to keep up the pressure extending their advantage in double-digits on a jumper by Kordell with 2:42 on the clock (30-20). A layup from Drammis made it 32-20, but the Lyons battled back in the final minute as Karraker hit a three and a layup to close the gap to nine (36-27).
In the second half, MIT came out strong as Otori nailed a shot from downtown in the opening minute and a half. A layup by Green helped cut it to 12 (41-29), but the Engineers continued to gain momentum, opening up a 22 point lead (53-31). Drammis contributed three points during the 12-0 run, while sophomore guard Liana Ilutzi (East Hanover, N.J./Hanover Park) added five.
Mount Holyoke saw junior guard Kelly Stewart (La Canada, Calif./La Canada) post back-to-back treys to make it a 65-44 MIT lead with 7:29 to play, and the Lyons continued to cut the deficit as a layup from Karraker and jumpers from first year Yvonne Dean-Bailey (Exeter, N.H./Phillips Exeter Academy) closed the gap to 13 (67-54) with 3:03 on the clock.
Despite the momentum, the Lyons could not overcome the strong MIT front, which saw free throw shots Otori and Drammis along with a jumper from Ilutzi, seal the victory.
Mount Holyoke, which shot 53.8% from free throw range in the game, returns to the court on Tuesday in its final contest of 2014. The Lyons will host the Trailblazers of MCLA in a 7pm tip-off at Mildred S. Howard Gym. MIT, which was 44.3% for the game from the field, is also in action on Tuesday, traveling to Framingham State for a 6pm contest.
