WELLESLEY, Mass. – Nine unanswered points during a span of 1:53 in the fourth quarter helped the MIT women's basketball team pull away for a 59-52 victory over Wellesley College in NEWMAC action on Wednesday night. Senior
Kamsi Nwogu (Algonquin, Ill.) led all players with 17 points and nine rebounds while grabbing two steals for the Engineers.
THE BASICS:
- Score: MIT 59, Wellesley 52
- Records: MIT (8-10 Overall, 4-0 NEWMAC); Wellesley (6-11 Overall, 1-3 NEWMAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Three pointers by seniors Sarah Berman (York, Pa.) and Angie Choi (Cypress, Calif.) gave MIT the early lead, however, Wellesley responded with a 14-4 run that resulted in a 14-10 advantage at the end of the quarter.
- The Engineers opened the second stanza with five straight points, but back-and-forth scoring ensued as a layup gave the Blue a 19-17 edge at the 3:57 mark.
- Following three minutes of scoreless play, Nwogu registered a three-point play to put MIT ahead. The score remained unchanged until junior Kaya Weiser's (Villanova, Pa.) layup 18 seconds before halftime, which gave the visitors a 22-19 lead.
- The Engineers maintained a small cushion during the early stages of the third quarter before going on a 9-0 run that increased their advantage to 34-23 with 6:14 on the clock. Treys by senior Elise Harvey (Wayland, Mass.) and Choi sandwiched another three-point play by Nwogu.
- Despite the deficit Wellesley continued to attack as free throws helped it come within 38-37 at the end of the frame.
- After trading free throws, a layup put the Blue in front, 41-40, almost three minutes into the fourth quarter. Weiser replied with back-to-back layups and then Nwogu registered one of her own.
- Wellesley buried a three pointer during its next possession, narrowing the gap to 46-44 at the 5:10 mark. However, a trey by Weiser kicked off the pivotal nine-point run that created some breathing room for MIT.
- A defensive battle ensued until the hosts knocked down a three pointer and a layup, trimming the deficit to 55-49 with 49 seconds remaining.
- Choi went 3-of-4 at the charity stripe, but Wellesley hit a three with 11 seconds to go. Two seconds later, Weiser secured the 59-52 victory courtesy of a free throw.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Choi totaled 14 points, four rebounds, and two steals while Keiser finished with 10 points. Junior Alice Hall (Ambler, Pa.) contributed five rebounds and three assists in the win.
UP NEXT:
- MIT travels to NEWMAC foe Mount Holyoke College on Saturday, February 1 for a 1:00 PM tip off.
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