WORCESTER -- WPI opened Saturday's home women's basketball contest with a decisive first-quarter surge and never relinquished control, rolling to an 83-48 victory over visiting Salem State inside the Sports & Recreation Center. The Engineers move to 5-2 on the season, while the Vikings drop to 4-3.
Emmy Allyn (Rutland, MA) paced WPI with a game-high 20 points, knocking down four three-pointers to go along with six rebounds and six assists. Leila Nielsen (New York, NY) added 14 points on 6-for-12 shooting, and Ava Hyams (Kearny, NJ) contributed 12 points and six rebounds. Allison Fullem (Underhill, VT) chipped in nine points, while Megan Stone (Hanson, MA) produced eight points in an efficient 4-for-4 effort from the field.
Salem State was led by Ernidia Goncalves (Everett, MA), who turned in a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double. Van Nguyen (Lynn, MA) added six points, and Yamilette Guerrero (Salem, MA) finished with five.
WPI seized immediate control, erupting for a 28-3 first-quarter lead behind a balanced scoring output that featured nine points from Nielsen and five each from Allyn and Ava Giansiracusa (Wethersfield, CT). The Engineers scored 28 straight points following Salem State's opening bucket and held the Vikings to 1-for-19 shooting in the period.
The second quarter was more competitive, but WPI extended its advantage slightly, outscoring Salem State 14-13 in the frame. Midway through the action, the Vikings put together an 11-4 surge, with eight points from Goncalves, cutting the lead to 40-16. However, WPI closed the period with a Hyams jumper to take a 42-16 lead into the break.
Salem State posted its strongest offensive quarter in the third, but WPI outscored the Vikings 21-18 in the frame. The Engineers built their lead to as many as 31 late in the period and carried a 63-34 edge into the fourth.
WPI continued to extend the margin in the fourth, with Kayla Goldrick (Attleboro, MA) opening the scoring and Fullem adding a pair of baskets, including a three. Kayleigh Carson (Seymour, CT) followed with two layups as WPI pushed the lead to 80-42.
The Engineers shot 54% from the field and 45% from three while assisting on 21 of their 32 made baskets. WPI forced 23 turnovers and converted them into 24 points, offsetting a 37-33 rebounding disadvantage. Salem State finished 18-for-56 from the floor and 4-for-16 from beyond the arc.
WPI will next compete at the Daytona Beach Shootout on December 19 against Carroll (WI). Salem State returns to action December 9 at Johnson and Wales.
