WPI 66, MIT 45 

Cambridge, MA --- A pair of key runs in each half helped power WPI to a 66-45 victory over MIT in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) women's basketball game on Saturday. WPI's Meghan Pajonas (Bristol, CT) finished the day with 23 points and 10 rebounds, after accumulating 17 points and seven boards in the opening period. Clara Yuan (San Jose, CA), Sharon Prange (Arlington, VA), and Amy Marshall (San Marcos, TX) each tallied 10 points for MIT.

MIT (3-10, 0-3 NEWMAC) recorded the first two baskets of the game before Kate Maki (Fitchburg, MA) put WPI (9-5, 2-1 NEWMAC) on the scoreboard after 2:32 had elapsed. On MIT's next possession, Michal Ruchelsman (  drained a three-pointer to give it its largest lead of the day at 7-2. A pair of free throws by Pajonas sparked a 19-2 run that resulted in a 21-9 advantage at the 10:52 mark. MIT was able to cut the deficit to nine on two occasions, the last time occurring at 26-17 with seven minutes remaining in the half. WPI continued to find success from the floor as its lead grew to 19 points (42-23) on a trey by Caitlin Macko (Cromwell, CT) right before the buzzer sounded at the intermission.

MIT opened the second stanza with a 13-2 run during the first six minutes to narrow the margin to 10 (45-35). Yuan ignited the spree with a three-pointer which was answered by a trey from Macko. After two minutes of scoreless play, Yuan ended the drought with a lay-up which was followed by back-to-back baskets and a free throw by Marshall. On WPI's ensuing possession, Marshall picked up a steal and set up Lauren Simmons (Pembroke Pines, FL)  for what proved to be the final bucket of the run. Macko notched WPI's first basket in six minutes at the 12:28 mark, which set off a 17-2 run for a 64-37 lead with 4:19 left to play.

Prange picked up a team-high seven rebounds, two steals, and a block while Ruchelsman grabbed six boards. Kimberly Soo Hoo (Benicia, CA) dished out five assists for MIT.

Kaileen Selen (Worcester, MA) posted 11 points off the bench as Emily Allietta (Sandwhich, MA) and Macko eached distributed four assists. Pajonas bolstered WPI's defensive performance with four steals and two blocks, while Karen Krasko (North Branford, MA) and Natasha Deschene (Presque Isle, ME) equaled those marks in steals and blocks, respectively.

Both teams continue conference play on the road on Wednesday, Jan. 17. MIT will visit Wheaton College while WPI will travel to Wellesley College.

Release Courtesy MIT Sports Information