Kuhn and Defense Push Women's Basketball into NEWMAC Semis

WPI 57, Mount Holyoke 40

Worcester, MA --- Melissa Kuhn (Stoughton, MA) was a point shy of her career-high and the WPI defense parlayed 25 turnovers into 29 points to help the second-seeded Engineers defeat seventh-seeded Mount Holyoke 57-40 in a NEWMAC Tournament quarterfinal contest played on Wednesday.

With the win, WPI (18-8) advances to the semifinals for the fifth straight year and will face sixth-seeded Wellesley, a 58-57 upset winner over third-seeded Springfield, on Saturday at 3pm at Babson. Mount Holyoke sees its season come to an end with a 8-18 record.

Kuhn drained 9-of-13 shots from the field, including 2-of-3 from behind the 3-point arc, en route to tallying 22 points. The junior, who added two assists and a pair of steals, had notched 23 points in a overtime win earlier this season against Springfield. WPI received eight points each from Elle Fontaine (Franklin, MA), Lauren Hannmann (East Greenbush, NY) and Charlotte McDonnell (Swansea, MA).

After falling behind 6-2 four minutes in the contest, the Engineers turned to its defense, holding the Lyons to just five field goals over the rest of the first half and limiting Mount Holyoke to 20.7% shooting from the floor during the second stanza. During its current five-game win streak, WPI has held opponents to 44 or less points in a five contests.

Christine Chancy (Bay Harbor Island, FL) led Mount Holyoke with her first career double-double. The sophomore netted 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Senior Erin Cain (Quincy, MA) chipped in with nine points and six boards for the Lyons, who enjoyed an impressive 38-24 edge on the glass.

It was the fourth time in five years the two schools have met in the NEWMAC Tournament. Mount Holyoke earned wins in the 2006 semifinals and 2007 championship while the Engineers evened the slate with quarterfinal victories the past two seasons.