Box Score

Worcester, MA --- Jim Marois (Worcester, MA) keyed a late 14-2 run with a trio of 3-pointers to help WPI knock off previously undefeated Coast Guard 71-62 Wednesday evening in the NEWMAC conference opener for both teams. It was the first meeting between the two squads since the Bears upset WPI in the NEWMAC Tournament final last February.

After Coast Guard had tied the game at 55-55, Marois and Jerome Kirkland (Boston, MA) connected on back-to-back trifectas to give the Engineers a lead they would not relinquish. The Crimson and Gray did not allow a Coast Guard field goal for the final 6:11 of the contest.

Marois paced all scorers with a career-best 26 points and seven rebounds. Antoine Coleman (Everett, MA) added 17 points and four steals while Kirkland tossed in 10 points to go along with four assists. The Engineers (10-3, 1-0 NEWMAC) received a lift from the bench as the WPI reserves enjoyed a 14-2 scoring edge over their CGA counterparts. Ben Etten (Hollis, NH) led the charge with eight points.

Craig Johnson (Medford, OR) topped Coast Guard (9-1, 0-1 NEWMAC) with 18 points while grabbing seven rebounds. Frontcourt mate Jeff Prebeck (Columbus, IN) chipped in with 15 points while Al Sowers (Monrovia, MD) registered 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Steve Blum (Farmington, CT) led all players on the night by grabbing nine rebounds, including seven off the offensive glass.

WPI scored the first eight points to open the game but Coast Guard would battle back and take its only lead of the game midway through the stanza at 16-15. A key 7-0 spurt by the Engineers helped them take a 33-25 advantage into the locker room at the intermission. Rebounding was the key during the first 20 minutes as WPI enjoyed a 31-15 edge on the glass.

Both teams will return to the hardwood on Saturday with NEWMAC contests. WPI will travel to Springfield for a 2pm game while Coast Guard entertains Clark starting at 3pm.