Fontaine's Double-Double Powers Women's Basketball Past MHC

WPI 44, Mount Holyoke 33

Worcester, MA --- Elle Fontaine (Franklin, MA) registered a double-double with game-highs of 14 points and 12 rebounds, leading host WPI to a 44-33 victory over Mount Holyoke in NEWMAC women's basketball action Saturday afternoon at Harrington Auditorium. With the win, the Engineers raised their record to 15-5 on the season and 7-1 in conference play. Mount Holyoke slipped to 6-13 and 3-4 in NEWMAC action.

WPI never trailed in the game, which was cleanly-played, as the two teams combined for only three free throw attempts on the day.

Fontaine scored three straight baskets for the Engineers early in the first half, including a 3-pointer, to help WPI establish an early 11-4 lead in the first six minutes. Melissa Kuhn (Stoughton, MA) then scored the next seven points for the Crimson and Gray off the bench, boosting WPI to a 15-8 advantage midway through the first half. WPI held on to take a nine-point lead (25-16) into the break.

Two-time NEWMAC Player of the Week Serena Dubois (Bangor, ME) was held without a shot attempt in the first half, but her first basket of the contest at 17:45 left in the game pushed the Engineer lead to double digits at 29-18. Mount Holyoke would not get the deficit under 10 the rest of the game. Dubois finished up the afternoon with six points and six boards.

Fontaine and senior point guard Natasha Deschene (Presque Isle, ME) were the only double-digit scorers for either team. Deschene netted 10 points on the afternoon and ripped away six steals. Deschene led an Engineer team that was extremely active on the defensive end, forcing 26 turnovers and converting them into 23 points.

Mount Holyoke was led by junior guard Erin Cain (Quincy, MA) who narrowly missed a double-double of her own, recording nine points and 11 rebounds. Emma Washauer (Mill Valley, CA) and Kate Shafir (Newton, MA) each added six points for the Lyons.

Both WPI and Mount Holyoke will play road games Wednesday evening in their next contests. WPI will take on Wellesley while Mount Holyoke heads across Worcester to face Clark. Both games are at 7pm.