SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – A layup by senior
Kamsi Nwogu (Algonquin, Ill.) tied the game with 18 seconds remaining in regulation and then a 12-3 run that spanned three minutes in overtime propelled No. 6 seeded MIT to a 70-65 victory over No. 3 seed Springfield College in the quarterfinals of the NEWMAC Women's Basketball Championship on Wednesday night. Nwogu led all players with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks.
THE BASICS:
- Score: MIT 70, Springfield 65
- Records: MIT (12-14 Overall); Springfield (15-11 Overall)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- In a back-and-forth opening frame, a three pointer by senior Sarah Berman (York, Pa.) tied the score at 14 with 1:18 on the clock. Springfield replied with a pair of baskets, ending the quarter with an 18-14 lead.
- A layup by first-year Deana Prasad (Cary, N.C.) kicked off a 10-0 run that was capped by her free throw. The Pride stayed close, but a trey from Prasad increased MIT's lead to 32-28 with 1:43 left. Springfield countered with a jumper with just over a minute to go, cutting its deficit in half heading into the intermission.
- The third quarter was tightly played as there were nine lead changes and four ties. A jumper by senior Elise Harvey (Wayland, Mass.) put the Engineers in front, 43-42, with 3:45 on the clock. During the Pride's ensuing possession, the hosts sank a free throw which sparked a 9-0 run that closed the quarter.
- MIT responded by putting together a 13-2 run as a three pointer by Harvey gave the visitors a 56-53 edge at the 3:52 mark. Springfield reclaimed the lead courtesy of a trey and then a layup with 1:17 remaining.
- With 32 seconds left to play, Berman stole the ball which later set up the layup by Nwogu that tied the score at 58 with 18 seconds on the clock. Both teams turned the ball over, sending the game into overtime.
- The Pride opened the scoring in the extra session after 1:15 elapsed, but a three-point play by junior Kaya Weiser (Villanova, Pa.) put the Engineers up, 61-60, at the 3:04 mark.
- Following turnovers by both sides, MIT gradually pulled away as it went 9-of-12 at the charity stripe during the last two minutes of action.
- Springfield's final points were a pair of free throws with 21 seconds to go and a jumper right before the buzzer.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Harvey tallied 16 points and five rebounds while Berman finished with 10 points and two steals.
- Weiser posted eight points, four rebounds, and three assists as Prasad chipped in eight points.
- Junior Alice Hall (Ambler, Pa.) grabbed seven rebounds, with six coming off the defensive glass.
- With the win, MIT will be making its sixth appearance in the NEWMAC semifinals in seven seasons.
UP NEXT:
- MIT will host No. 7 WPI in the semifinals of the NEWMAC Championship on Friday, February 28 at 7:00 PM.
- This will be the first meeting between both teams in the semifinals.
- Last year, MIT defeated WPI, 65-52 in the quarterfinals.
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