BABSON PARK, Mass. – A trio of free throws during the final 18 seconds of overtime helped Babson College hold off MIT for an 84-79 NEWMAC women's basketball win on Wednesday night. Senior
Kamsi Nwogu (Algonquin, Ill.) posted a game-high 25 points to go along with five rebounds and two steals for the Engineers.
THE BASICS:
- Score: Babson 84, MIT 79
- Records: MIT (10-12 Overall, 6-2 NEWMAC); Babson (13-9 Overall, 5-3 NEWMAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Eight unanswered points gave Babson a 19-9 lead, but a jumper by junior Brianna Lebrun (Hartford, Conn.) ended MIT's scoring drought with 31 seconds left in the opening quarter.
- The Engineers carried the momentum into the second quarter as an 8-1 run during the first 1:26 brought them within 20-19. However, the Beavers responded with a 15-5 run to create some breathing room.
- MIT countered with an 8-3 burst as a free throw by Lebrun made the score 38-32 with 12 seconds left, but Babson drained a layup right before time expired.
- The Beavers increased their advantage to 44-32 during the first minute of the third quarter.
- Sparked by five consecutive points by Lebrun, the Engineers went on a 13-5 run as a three-point play by senior Elise Harvey (Wayland, Mass.) narrowed the gap to 49-45 at the end of the frame.
- MIT stayed close throughout the fourth quarter as a layup by Nwogu trimmed the deficit to 65-64 with 50 seconds left to play. Following an exchange of turnovers and a trio of fouls, Babson sank two free throws with 23 seconds remaining.
- Another layup by Nwogu once again brought the visitors within one, but the Beavers drained a pair of free throws with 13 seconds on the clock. Junior Kaya Weiser (Villanova, Pa.) then forced the extra session courtesy of a three pointer with nine seconds to go.
- A jumper by junior Alice Hall (Ambler, Pa.) gave the Engineers a 71-69 edge early in overtime, but Babson went on a 9-3 run that resulted in a 78-74 cushion with1:37 on the clock.
- MIT replied with a layup by Choi and a free throw from Nwogu, however, the Beavers produced a basket and a free throw, moving the score to 81-77 with 26 seconds left.
- Four seconds later Choi cut the Engineers' deficit in half with two free throws, but Babson went 3-of-4 at the charity stripe to hold on for the win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Choi produced 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals while Lebrun chipped in eight points.
UP NEXT:
- MIT will travel to NEWMAC rival No. 6/7 Smith College on Saturday, February 19 for a 2:00 PM tip off.
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