CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Despite a team-high 12 points from junior captain Katlyn Grover and a game-best 13 boards from sophomore forward Annika Brooks, the Mount Holyoke College basketball team could not overcome an early deficit at MIT in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Saturday. The Engineers, who earned a 63-33 victory, move to 15-6 overall and 9-3 in conference play. The visiting Lyons slip to 1-20 overall and 0-12 in the NEWMAC.

MIT was paced by a game-high 15 points off the bench from Kylie Gallagher. She also added six rebounds, while Jocelyn Luizzi had nine points, five boards and assist and a steal. Kara Holinski posted seven points, while three other players added six points.

In addition to Grover, who also had three steals, an assist and four boards, the Lyons saw Brooks finish just shy of the double-double with nine points. She also added two steals. Senior forward Leah Hodges added six points with three caroms and a steal, while sophomore center Julia Grey had three points with three rebounds.

MIT opened the contest on a strong note, holding the Lyons off the scoreboard, while posting 19 points of their own behind eight from Gallagher. In the second frame, Grover laid down five and Brooks chipped in four for MHC, but all five starters found the net for MIT to take a 35-11 lead at halftime.

The Engineers defense was once again stingy for the visitors in the third quarter, holding the Lyons to just five points, while Gallagher paced the home team effort with seven.

In the final period of play, the Lyons found their rhythm and outscored the Engineers by a 17-12 margin. Grover poured in seven points, while Hodges added four. Despite that momentum, MHC could not cut the gap further.

Both squads return to conference play on Wednesday as Mount Holyoke travels to Smith, while MIT heads to Wellesley. Both games start at 7pm.