WPI 64, Babson 42
Box Score
Worcester, MA --- Sophomore Kaileen Selen
(Worcester, MA) tallied a game-high 16 points and added an
eye-popping 11 steals to lift WPI to a key 64-52 victory over
visiting Babson in NEWMAC women's basketball action Wednesday
evening. WPI improves to 9-8 on the year and 4-3 in
conference play while Babson dips to 8-10 overall and 3-4 in NEWMAC
action.
The Engineers used a tenacious defense in the first half to help
parlay 13 Beaver turnovers into 15 points. With Selen and
freshman Charlotte McDonnell (Swansea, MA) (3
blocks) anchoring the defensive effort, Babson connected on just
one field attempt in the final eight minutes of the first half as
the Crimson and Gray took a 32-19 lead into the locker room at the
break.
WPI used a quick 8-0 spurt early in the second half to extend
the advantage to 20 and never saw its margin slip into single
digits the rest of the way. Caitlin Macko
(Cromwell, CT) aided the Engineers cause with 13 points while
Kate Maki (Fitchburg, MA) chipped in with nine
points and four steals.
Elle Fontaine (Franklin, MA) sparked WPI off
the bench with eight points and added five rebounds.
Natasha Deschene (Presque Isle, ME) distinguished
herself with a team-best six rebounds and three assists while Selen
added five boards.
The Beavers were paced by Caitlin Fenn
(Niantic, CT), who notched 14 points and shared game-high honors
with eight rebounds. Nicole McManus
(Baldwinsville, NY) added nine points and three steals while
Linsey Poulson (Leominster, MA) corralled eight
boards.
Both teams return to action on Saturday. WPI travels to
Mount Holyoke for a 2pm rematch of last year's NEWMAC Tournament
Championship game while Babson hosts Wellesley at 3pm.