CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Two free throws by Grace Jaffray with 6.7 seconds remaining helped Johnson & Wales University capture a 69-67 victory over MIT in a non-conference women's basketball game on Thursday night in Rockwell Cage.
Mary Lobon powered the Engineers with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and six blocks while Jaffray amassed 36 points as she went 17-of-18 at the free throw line and added seven rebounds and four blocks for the Wildcats.
THE BASICS:
- Score: Johnson & Wales 69, MIT 67
- Records: MIT (1-2 Overall); Johnson & Wales (2-1 Overall)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- MIT built a 9-3 lead after a three-point play and a put-back by Lobon. However, JWU put together an 11-4 run as a layup by Mikayla Caruso gave the visitors the lead with 2:41 on the clock. The Engineers closed out the quarter with seven unanswered points, resulting in a 20-14 advantage.
- An exchange of baskets early in the second stanza moved the score to 24-16 after 1:16 elapsed. The Wildcats chipped away at the deficit and gradually built a 42-30 lead heading into halftime. Jaffray accounted for 19 of JWU's 26 points during the run.
- MIT opened the third quarter with a 15-4 run as two free throws by April Chan put the hosts in front, 45-44, at the 4:24 mark. Five lead changes and three ties followed as a layup from Brianna Lebrun evened the score at 50 with 42 seconds left in the frame.
- The Engineers carried the momentum into the fourth quarter as they created a 64-58 margin after a jumper by Mariam Abdelbarr with 4:10 on the clock. The Wildcats battled back, eventually taking a 67-65 lead following two free throws by Jaffray with 1:23 remaining. Chan replied with a layup 10 seconds later, however, both teams remained scoreless until Jaffray's free throws late in regulation.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Chan produced 13 points, five assists, and two blocks while Abdelbarr and Olivia Joseph both registered nine points.
- Brianne Foley tallied 13 points, a team-high 13 rebounds, six steals, and five blocks as Caruso contributed eight points and seven rebounds for JWU.
- This was the second meeting between both programs. In the first matchup, the Engineers defeated the Wildcats, 55-43, in Providence during the 2012-13 season.
UP NEXT:
- MIT will host Emmanuel College on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:00 PM.
- Johnson & Wales will travel to Rhode Island College on Sunday, November 16 for a 1:00 PM game.
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