Norton, MA --- Junior Ama Biney (Worcester, MA) and senior Priscilla Dunphy (Barrington, RI) totaled 32 points to lead WPI to a 58-37 NEWMAC women's basketball triumph over host Wheaton Saturday afternoon in Emerson Gymnasium. 

Wheaton (1-4, 0-2 NEWMAC) was led by first-year Lexi L'Heureux-Carland (Bridgton, ME), who netted a career-high 10 points off the bench. The forward finished 3-of-4 from the floor, including a perfect 1-for-1 from three-point range, while hitting all three of her free-throw attempts. First-year Natalie Wind (New Canaan, CT) chipped in eight points off the bench, while junior Jill Bodreau (Thompson, CT) and senior Sophia Black (Gloucester, MA) each contributed six points. Junior Ruthie Zientek (Holmdel, NJ) and Bodreau each pulled down a team-high four rebounds. 

Biney led all players with 18 points on a 7-of-12 performance from the floor and 4-for-4 shooting from the charity stripe. Dunphy also finished in double-figures, netting 14 points, while junior Stasha Greenalch (Newington, CT) knocked down nine. Biney also ended the contest with a game-high seven boards. 

As a team, the Engineers (7-1, 2-0 NEWMAC) shot 45.1% (23-for-51) from the floor to the Lyons 35.3% (12-of-34). Wheaton had the advantage from the free-throw line, hitting all seven of its attempts, while WPI finished 62.5% (5-for-8). 

Wheaton struck first in the opening quarter on a three-pointer from Bodreau, which gave the Lyons their largest lead of the contest. The Engineers answered back with a three from senior Sarah Rogers (Colchester, CT), which sparked a first-quarter back-and-forth that ended in an 11-11 deadlock. Biney started the second quarter with two quick jumpers to give WPI a 15-11 advantage. Wheaton would manage just six points in the quarter as the Engineers took a 24-17 lead into halftime. 

The Engineers wasted no time getting the second half started, going on a 12-0 run that spanned seven minutes to take a 36-17 lead. WPI continued to push the pace in the fourth quarter, capturing a 58-29 lead with 2:26 left to play on a layup by junior Madison Beck (Syracuse, NY) layup. Wheaton went scored the final eight points of the contest with baskets by Wind and L'Heureux-Carland, ending the contest 58-37. 

Both teams resume NEWMAC action on the road Wednesday at 7pm as WPI heads to Smith and Wheaton travels to MIT.

Release Courtesy Wheaton Sports Information