WPI 60, Babson 56
Box
Score
Worcester, MA --- Kaileen Selen's (Worcester,
MA) 16 points highlighted four different WPI players in double
figures to help propel the host Engineers to a hard-fought 60-56
win over Babson in NEWMAC women's basketball action on Wednesday
evening at Harrington Auditorium.
With the victory, WPI clinches its second NEWMAC regular season
title in the last three years, and earns the top seed in next
week's NEWMAC Tournament. In addition to the championships in
2007 and 2009, the Crimson and Gray also brought home a NEW-8 crown
in 1996 and shared one four-ways back in 1989.
With a game remaining in the regular season, the Engineers raise
their record to 19-5 on the year and 11-1 in conference play, while
Babson slips to 16-8 overall and 9-3 in NEWMAC action.
The teams traded baskets in the first four minutes of the game.
Tied 8-8 4:18 in, Babson went on a 12-4 run over the next 7:13 to
take a 20-12 lead with 8:28 to go in the half. WPI fought back over
the next four minutes, tying the game at 24-24 on consecutive
layups from Natasha Deschene (Presque Isle, ME),
Serena Dubois (Bangor, ME) and Selen. Dubois'
second basket of the half, a layup at 1:03, gave WPI a slim 29-28
lead heading into the locker room after being down by as many as
eight earlier in the half.
The Engineers built upon their halftime edge, pushing their
narrow lead at the break to 11 at 45-34 in the first eight minutes
of the second half. WPI would maintain its lead throughout most of
the second half, leading 60-49 with 2:45 to go in the game. Babson
made the game interesting by battling back in the last two minutes,
cutting the Engineer lead to only four at 60-56 with 43 seconds to
go. WPI buckled down on the defensive end, however, to put a stop
to Babson's comeback bid and hold on for the four point victory.
Defense was the key for WPI in the game, as the Engineers forced
25 Babson turnovers that they converted into 17 points. Dubois and
Deschene each had three steals to highlight the defensive effort
for the Crimson and Gray. Elle Fontaine (Franklin,
MA) dropped in 14 points for the Engineers, while also grabbing
seven rebounds. Dubois, the reigning NEWMAC Player of the Week,
nearly posted a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds,
while Deschene also notched 11 for the hosts.
Two Babson players finished with double-doubles for the game.
Nicole Wurdeman (Rowley, MA) posted a game
high-tying 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Kathleen
King (Framingham, MA) recorded 10 points and 13 boards, 12
of which came in the opening half. Becky Bowman
(Melrose, MA) and Renay Hamilton
(Lynn, MA) each finished with eight points for the Beavers.
The game marked the first of a basketball twinbill that featured
WPI's Pink Zone festivities. Pink Zone, a global initiative by the
Women's Basketball Coaches Association, brings awareness to the
public about breast cancer and breast cancer research. WPI's Pink
Zone event featured a 50/50 raffle with prizes from W.B. Mason,
Jillians, Boomers, Worcester Fitness and Qdoba, and two of the
largest crowds of the year came out to support Pink Zone and WPI
Basketball. The crowd, coaches, players and staff all wore pink to
show their support for those suffering from breast cancer.
Both teams close out the regular season with home league contests
on Saturday afternoon. WPI entertains MIT in a 2pm tilt while
Babson takes on Mount Holyoke at 1pm.
Story by Ray Cotrufo '98 - WPI Athletics Department
