CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Tied with less than a minute remaining, a layup by
Rachael Zacks and then a block by
Mary Lobon that set up a fast break layup by
Ruth Lanouette created enough of a cushion as MIT held on for a 51-49 victory over Springfield College in a NEWMAC women's basketball game on Wednesday night. Lanouette finished with a game-high 12 points and added five rebounds while Natalie Lucas paced the Pride with 11 points and five rebounds.
THE BASICS:
- Score: MIT 51, Springfield 49
- Records: MIT (14-10 Overall, 8-2 NEWMAC); Springfield (15-9 Overall, 6-4 NEWMAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Springfield controlled the action in the opening quarter as it outscored MIT, 19-9. Natalie Lucas powered the visitors with nine points during the frame.
- The Engineers chipped away at the deficit in the second stanza, coming within five points on three occasions, the last at 30-25 on a layup by Riley O'Sullivan with 54 seconds left before halftime.
- MIT carried the momentum into the third quarter as a 16-4 run, capped by a Lanouette layup, created a 41-34 lead with 1:09 on the clock. Stefany Padula replied with a layup of her own during Springfield's next trip down the court, keeping the Pride within striking distance.
- The Engineers maintained a small cushion in the fourth quarter as a free throw from Lanouette moved the score to 47-42 with six minutes remaining. A defensive battle ensued until Amanda Leary sank two free throws at the 2:52 mark. Lucas narrowed the gap to 47-46 courtesy of a layup with 1:22 to go and then Ruth Boles drained a free throw, tying the score with 54 seconds on the clock.
- Following a timeout, Zacks buried a layup with 31 seconds left while Lobon's block and Lanouette's layup came with five second remaining.
- Madison Lopez cut the Pride's deficit in half on a layup with 1.4 seconds to go, however, MIT secured the win by successfully inbounding the ball and maintaining possession.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- O'Sullivan posted 10 points and six rebounds while Lobon tallied 16 rebounds, four steals, three assists, and two blocks.
- Zacks ended the night with nine points coming off the bench.
- Boles finished with 11 points as Leary produced nine rebounds, four steals, three assists, and a block.
- Padula contributed eight points and four rebounds.
- The win pushed the Engineers' winning streak to eight games.
UP NEXT:
- Both teams wrap up the NEWMAC regular season on Saturday, February 21.
- MIT will host No. 5 Smith College at 3:15 PM while Springfield will travel to Emerson College for a 1:00 PM tip.
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