WPI 73, Wheaton 57 

Worcester, MA -- Lone WPI senior Ryan Cain (Webster, MA) led all scorers with 28 points to help the Engineers defeat visiting Wheaton 73-57 in Senior Night action at Harrington Auditorium. Cain now has 1,756 career points, one behind WPI career leader Orville Bailey.

With the NEWMAC win, WPI (20-2, 10-1 NEWMAC) clinches at least a share of its fourth consecutive NEWMAC regular season title and with a win over Coast Guard or a Babson loss at Springfield on Saturday, will win its second straight outright crown. Wheaton falls to 10-13 on the season and 3-9 in conference play.

WPI broke open a tight game when they embarked upon a 23-6 run late in the first to turn a 18-16 deficit into a 39-24 advantage. Sophomore center Ryan Bourque (Nashua, NH) came off the bench and sparked the Engineers with 10 points, including eight during the decisive run. Classmate Adam Lirette (Dover, NH) ignited the home squad with a career-best 16 points to go along with six assists and six rebounds. Jerome Kirkland (Boston, MA) added a game-best seven assists while Antoine Coleman (Everett, MA) chipped in with seven points and nine rebounds.

Cain connected on 8-of-15 attempts from the field, including 5-of-7 from three-point land and all seven of his free throw tries. He exited the game to a standing ovation with 45 seconds remaining in the contest. The senior guard was also two points off his season-best of 30, set in December versus Endicott.

The Lyons were paced offensively by Nick Michel (Hyde Park, MA), who poured in a team-best 13 points off the bench. Jake Otto (Glastonbury, CT) added 10 points to the Lyons attack while Brian Zukowski (Dracut, MA) and Kristopher Pedra (Avon, CT) each registered nine.

Both teams will close out the regular season on Saturday afternoon. WPI will travel to New London, CT for a 1pm NEWMAC contests with Coast Guard while Wheaton will entertain Roger Williams in a 2pm non-conference tilt.