Lewiston, ME --- No. 12 Bates used a decisive fourth-quarter surge to pull away from visiting WPI, earning a 63-53 win in non-conference women's basketball action on Sunday afternoon. The Engineers fall to 1-2, while the nationally ranked Bobcats open their season 1-0.
 
First-year Leila Nielsen (New York, NY) delivered a career-high 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead WPI. Classmate Ava Giansiracusa (Wethersfield, CT) added 10 points, four boards, and two assists, while Emmy Allyn (Rutland, MA) contributed eight points, including a pair of threes. Femke Jansen (North Granby, CT) provided six points off the bench, and Ava Hyams (Kearny, NJ) pulled down six rebounds with a game-high three steals.
 
Bates was powered by standout guard Ava James (Bethesda, MD), who scored a game-high 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting to go with five rebounds and two blocks. Lily Brown (Dallas, TX) finished with eight points, while Lily Lambo (Watertown, MA) and Claire Gaetani (Old Town, ME) each added seven. Petra Kuncz (Budapest, Hungary) anchored the paint with six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
 
Bates shot 57% in the first quarter to take a 20-9 lead before WPI settled in defensively, holding the Bobcats to 27.8% in the second period to trim the deficit to 33-25 at halftime. Nielsen and Allyn combined for nine second-quarter points, helping the Engineers stay within striking distance.
 
WPI delivered its best stretch in the third, outscoring Bates 19-14 and cutting the margin to 47-44 heading into the fourth behind threes from Giansiracusa, Allyn, and Jansen.
 
However, the Bobcats responded immediately, opening the final quarter on a 14-2 run over seven minutes to build a 61-46 advantage. WPI forced several late turnovers and got a late bucket from Megan Stone (Hanson, MA), but Bates' surge proved decisive.
 
Overall, WPI shot 33% from the floor and 71% at the line while forcing 17 Bates turnovers and collecting 10 steals. Bates finished at 41% shooting, held a 44-34 advantage on the glass, and recorded 10 second-chance points on 14 offensive rebounds.
 
WPI returns home on Tuesday for a 5:30pm matchup with Conn College. Bates travels to Husson next, also on Tuesday at 5:30pm.