Box Score NORTON, Mass. - The Wheaton College women's basketball team became just the second team to take down the visiting WPI Engineers in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action this season, earning a huge 64-60 win on 'Senior Day' in Emerson Gymnasium.
The win moves the Lyons to 17-7 on the season and 10-5 in the NEWMAC as the team fights for a good seed in the upcoming conference tournament. Wheaton also ends the regular season home portion of its schedule with an impressive 9-3 standing in Emerson Gymnasium.The Engineers fall to 20-3 on the year and 12-2 in the NEWMAC.
The Lyons three seniors, who were all honored prior to the start of the contest, were the only three players to finish in double-figures in scoring for Wheaton. Alyssa Almario led the way with 15 points on a 4-5 night from the floor, which included a perfect 3-3 night from long distance. She also hit 4-6 from the free-throw line. Kiley Shoemaker finished with 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds in the win. Rebecca Arnone knocked down 11 points for Wheaton.
Ama Biney led all players with 17 points on a 7-11 night from the floor, while Priscilla Dinphy chipped in 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Stasha Greenalch came off the bench to score 11 points for WPI to go with her game leading five steals.
Wheaton scored first, but WPI fired back taking a 14-5 lead with 3:53 remaining in the first quarter. The Lyons inched closer a few times just to have the Engineers close out the frame with an 18-9 lead.
Wheaton found an answer in the second quarter, chipping away at the WPI lead with a 16-3 run that picking up just their second lead of the game. Wheaton continued to push the pace which resulted in 31-27 advantage at the intermission.
Fueled by baskets from Almario, Arnone and Emily Cuthbertson the Lyons took their largest lead at the 6:09 mark in the third quarter. Madison Beck responded with a layup that sparked an Engineer comeback with 5:11 on the clock. Beck went on to score seven of WPI's 10 points over the next four minutes, earning her team a 41-39 advantage. Sophie Black tied the game at 41-all with a little under a minute remaining in the quarter.
Neither team established dominance in the fourth and final frame, tying the game five times, while trading possession of the lead on four occasions. With the game knotted up at 60-60, Almario drained two free-throws that earned the Lyons the lead back for good with 46 seconds remaining.
Wheaton returns to the court on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. at Babson.
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