MIT Falls to Wentworth, 50-38, in Season Opener

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – With 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the floor, 12 steals, and seven rebounds, Michelle Fauci helped power Wentworth Institute of Technology to a 50-38 victory over host MIT in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Tuesday. In her intercollegiate debut, Aparna Sud registered 15 points and nine rebounds for the Engineers (0-1).

A three-pointer put MIT on the board as it eventually established a 6-4 edge five minutes into the contest. The Leopards (2-0) responded with nine unanswered points during the next five minutes to take the lead for good. The Cardinal and Gray narrowed the gap to three (16-13) at the 6:34 mark. Wentworth countered with a 10-2 run which resulted in its largest lead of the half (26-15). Each side traded baskets to close the frame and move the score to 28-19 in favor of the visitors.

MIT twice brought its deficit to single digits early in the second stanza, with the last time occurring on a pair of free throws by Sud that closed the margin to nine (32-23). After two minutes of scoreless play, a jumper by Kirsten Vallone returned the double-digit cushion to Wentworth as its lead gradually grew to 16 points (44-28) with 7:31 remaining in regulation. The Engineers continued to attack, scoring 10 of the final 16 points to close the game.

Kristen Whaley grabbed a game-high 11 boards for MIT to go along with six points, two steals, and a block. Lauren Sascha Burton posted a game-leading six assists in addition to five points and two steals. Sally Simpson bolstered the Engineers’ attack with five points while Anna Merrifield tacked on five rebounds and four points.

Morgan Furmann contributed eight points for the Leopards as Vallone recorded nine boards, six points, and two blocks. Michelle Moffo chipped in seven points, five caroms, and two blocks while Meaghan Murphy grabbed six rebounds.

Both squads hit the road this weekend for tournament action. MIT will face the host Fighting Scots at the Gordon College Invitational on Friday, Nov. 20. That evening, Wentworth will take on the nationally-ranked No. 9 and host Judges in the Brandeis University Tip Off Tournament.