Paxton, MA --- The WPI women's basketball program opened the 2024-2025 campaign with a 61-39 victory over Worcester State in the opening night of the 43rd annual Worcester City Tournament hosted by Anna Maria on Friday evening. 

With the win, the Engineers earn a chance to regain the WCT title for the ninth time in the last 10 tournaments against NEWMAC foe Clark tomorrow as the Cougars recorded a 93-59 win over the hosting Amcats earlier in the evening. 

Hannah Manzaro (West Brookfield, MA) recorded the first four points for Worcester State before the Engineers kickstarted their offense as Megan Stone (Hanson, MA), Caitlyn Dasaro (Fairfield, CT) and Emmy Allyn (Holden, MA) all recorded baskets early. Both squads traded buckets as Allison Fullem (Underhill, VT) and Ava Giansiracusa (Whethersfield, CT) capped off the scoring for the Crimson and Gray in the opening quarter of action.
 
Mia Haynes (Worcester, MA) recorded a layup to open the second quarter as the Lancers and Engineers exchanged free throws as the lead remained in favor of WPI throughout the quarter. Shannon Reno (Millbury, MA) added a layup to keep the Crimson and Gray on top by six heading into the intermission.
 
The Engineers sprouted after the halftime break as Dasaro put up back-to-back layups and Alice Kelly (Whethersfield, CT) tacked on a three-pointer to give WPI the 30-17 lead. Worcester State's Abby St. Martin (Putnam, CT) in attempt to slow down the Crimson and Gray but the Kelly-and-Reno duo accounted for the team's following 10 points for the 40-25 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
 
WPI then opened the fourth quarter with five baskets by five different Engineers as Femke Jansen (North Granby, CT) tacked on back-to-back treys and a good layup to help retain the separation from the Lancers. Delaney MacPhetres joined the scoring frenzy with basket in the final minute of action to cap off the Engineers' 21-point fourth quarter performance.
 
Kelly and Jansen led the way for WPI with 10 points apiece as the team shot 46% from the floor on the night. Worcester State's Katie Hurynowicz (Tyngsboro, MA) posted a game-high 12 points. 

The Engineers return to the floor tomorrow in the Worcester City Tournament title contest at 8pm versus Clark as the Lancers turn to the consolation matchup versus Anna Maria at 6pm.