WPI 53, Johnson & Wales 50

Box Score

Providence, RI --- Serena Dubois (Bangor, ME) and Kaileen Selen (Worcester, MA) each canned a pair of free throws in the final seconds to help WPI rally for a 53-50 victory over host Johnson & Wales in non-conference women's basketball action at the Harborside Recreation Center on Sunday afternoon. 

The Engineers trailed 48-41 before embarking on a 12-2 spurt over the final nine minutes to take the contest.  Defense was the key as the Crimson and Gray forced eight turnovers and limited the Wildcats to just 1-of-8 shooting from the floor during the run.   

WPI was paced by Dubois, who had with 17 points and 10 rebounds while sophomore Elle Fontaine (Franklin, MA) also had a double-double for the Engineers with 11 points and 10 rebounds. 

Leading the way for Johnson & Wales was senior Alyse Ragaglia (West Newbury, MA) with 17 points and four steals.  Senior Maria Valletta (Greenville, RI) added 10 points, six rebounds and three blocks while senior had Johanna Santosuosso (Salem, CA) 10 points and six assists in the setback for the Wildcats.  

The two teams battled back and forth throughout the early stages of the first half with seven lead changes.  Johnson & Wales had their largest lead of the half on a three-pointer by Santosuosso with 4:48 remaining on the clock.  WPI then closed out the half on a 9-1 run, including a layup by freshman Lauren Hannmann (East Greenbush, NY) to take the 32-27 lead into the locker room at halftime.  WPI had a 26-11 advantage in rebounds for the half. 

JWU opened the second half on a 9-2 run, capped by a jumper by Jeniphr Moxley (Lakewood, WA) to give the Wildcats the 36-34 lead with 14:15 left.  JWU continued to increase their lead and had their largest advantage of the game when a free throw by Ragaglia put the squad ahead 48-41 with 9:33 on the clock.  The visiting Engineers responded with an 8-2 run to make the game 50-49 after a jumper by senior Caitlin Macko (Cromwell, CT) with 1:29 left in the game.  WPI took the 51-50 advantage after a pair of free throws by Dubois with :18 on the clock.  After a JWU turnover, Selen hit two free throws with two seconds left to give the Engineers the 53-50 victory.  WPI held a commanding 51-24 advantage in rebounds for the contest. 

Johnson & Wales falls to 3-3 on the year with the loss while WPI improves to 3-2 for the season.  The Wildcats will return to action on Tuesday, December 2nd when they host Rhode Island College in a non-conference contest at 5:30pm.  WPI will host Wesleyan on Thursday, December 4th at 7:00pm.

Release Courtesy Johnson & Wales Sports Information