Springfield, MA  — WPI Women's Basketball kicked off a strong start with 22 first quarter points but could not hold off Springfield in a 70-55 road loss on Saturday afternoon. 

Springfield improves to 11-7 on the season and 2-1 in conference play while the Engineers fall to 10-7 overall and 1-2 in NEWMAC action. 

The Engineers fired out quick with a 22-point first quarter backed by sharpshooting from Ava Giansiracusa (Wethersfield, CT ), Leila Nielsen (New York, NY) and Allison Fullem (Underhill, VT) as the trio all knocked down threes to send the guest to the second quarter with a 22-19 lead. 

Springfield locked down the Crimson and Gray defensively in the second period, holding WPI to single-digit scoring while chipping away at the deficit. The Pride used a balanced offensive attack to close the half on a run, taking a 33-27 advantage into the break after outscoring the Engineers 14-5 in the quarter.

WPI looked to regain momentum coming out of halftime, but Springfield continued to control the pace in the third quarter outscoring the visitors 18-13 to extend the lead. Kayla Goldrick (Attleboro, MA) and Giansiracusa knocked down shots to stay within reach as the Pride took 51-40 lead by shooting 66.67% in the third stanza. 

The hosts nailed their first pair of threes to set the pace for the final quarter of action and held on to the lead en route to the 70-55 win.

Giansiracusa led the squad with 15 points, two rebounds and four assists as Emmy Allyn (Rutland, MA) compiled 12 points and a pair of assists on the afternoon. Amanda Leary (Westbury,NY) led the Pride with a game-high 18 points and four rebounds and three assists. 

WPI concludes a two-game road trip on Wednesday, venturing to Babson to face the Beavers at 7pm.   Springfield hosts another Worcester school at the same time Wednesday, entertaining Clark in Blake Arena.