Clark 44, WPI 41 

Worcester, MA --- The Clark University women's basketball team extended its winning streak to four games with a 44-41 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) victory over cross-town rival Worcester Polytechnic Institute at the Kneller Athletic Center on Wednesday evening. 

With the victory, the Cougars (9-10, 5-3 NEWMAC) snapped WPI's five game winning streak.  The Engineers dip to 13-6 overall and 6-2 in league play. 

A defensive battled ensued in the first half as neither team could increase the lead past four points.  Jess Lamothe's (Westboro, MA) lay-up gave the Cougars an 8-4 edge, but WPI cut the deficit in half with a basket by Kate Maki (Fitchburg, MA) at the 12:12 mark.  A lay-in by Meghan Pajonas (Bristol, CT) broke a 4:03 scoring drought and knotted the score at eight-all with just over eight minutes remaining.  Clark had a 7-3 spurt capped by a corner three from Nicole Leveque (Billerica, MaA) to take a 15-12 advantage into the break.  

After six lead changes, WPI took its largest margin (33-29) with a three-pointer by Rachel Salvatgori (Williston, VT) at the 7:45 mark of the second half.  A key string of baskets that included a turn-around jumper by Shinikwa James (Bronx, NY), Jillian Camilleri's (Lancaster, MA) bucket that rolled around the rim and fell in, and a follow-up hoop by Lamothe pushed the Cougars' lead up to 38-35 with 3:18 on the clock. Pajonas scored four straight points for a 39-38 WPI advantage, but Auclair was fouled on the next possession and made two from the stripe for a one-point edge (40-39) with 1:30 remaining.  Pajonas answered with a basket in the lane to give the Engineers a 41-40 lead with :50 seconds left to play. On the ensuing possession, Sarah Roderigue's (Oakland, ME) jumper was off the mark, but Camilleri was there for the put-back to put Clark ahead (42-41) with :23 ticks left.  WPI had a chance in the closing seconds, but a Roderigue steal sealed the Cougars victory.  The sophomore forward was fouled and hit a pair from the line for the final score. 

"It was a great defensive battle," said head coach Pat Glispin.  "The low scoring game is a tribute to two really good defensive teams.  It could have been anyone's game." 

"A play or two here or there was the difference," she said. 

Roderigue led Clark with nine points, while Camilleri had a team-high 10 rebounds.  Pajones was the only double-figure scorer in the game notching a double-double with 18 points and 11 boards for WPI. 

Clark will travel to MIT on Saturday for a 3 p.m. tilt, while WPI will face Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., that same day at 2 p.m. 

Release Courtesy Clark Sports Information