BOX SCORE

WORCESTER, Mass. -- Kaileen Selen's (Worcester, MA) 16 points highlighted four different WPI players in double figures to help propel the host Engineers to a hard-fought 60-56 win over Babson in NEWMAC women's basketball action on Wednesday evening at Harrington Auditorium. With the victory, WPI clinches its second NEWMAC regular season title in the last three years, and earns the top seed in next week's NEWMAC Tournament. 

With a game remaining in the regular season, the Engineers raise their record to 19-5 on the year and 11-1 in conference play, while Babson slips to 16-8 overall and 9-3 in NEWMAC action. 

The teams traded baskets in the first four minutes of the game. Tied 8-8 4:18 in, Babson went on a 12-4 run over the next 7:13 to take a 20-12 lead with 8:28 to go in the half. WPI fought back over the next four minutes, tying the game at 24-24 on consecutive layups from Natasha Deschene (Presque Isle, ME), Serena Dubois (Bangor, ME) and Selen. Dubois' second basket of the half, a layup at 1:03, gave WPI a slim 29-28 lead heading into the locker room after being down by as many as eight earlier in the half.

The Engineers built upon their halftime edge, pushing their narrow lead at the break to 11 at 45-34 in the first eight minutes of the second half. WPI would maintain its lead throughout most of the second half, leading 60-49 with 2:45 to go in the game. Babson made the game interesting by battling back in the last two minutes, cutting the Engineer lead to only four at 60-56 with 43 seconds to go. WPI buckled down on the defensive end, however, to put a stop to Babson's comeback bid and hold on for the four-point victory.

Defense was the key for WPI in the game, as the Engineers forced 25 Babson turnovers that they converted into 17 points. Dubois and Deschene each had three steals to highlight the defensive effort for the Crimson and Gray. Elle Fontaine (Franklin, MA) dropped in 14 points for the Engineers, while also grabbing seven rebounds. Dubois, the reigning NEWMAC Player of the Week, nearly posted a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds, while Deschene also notched 11 for the hosts.

Two Babson first-years finished with double-doubles for the game. Nicole Wurdeman (Rowley, MA) posted a game high-tying 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Kathleen King (Framingham, MA) recorded 10 points and 13 boards, 12 of which came in the opening half. Sophomores Becky Bowman (Melrose, MA) and Renay Hamilton (Lynn, MA) each finished with eight points for the Beavers, while senior co-captain Leigh Myer (Seattle, WA) hit two key jumpers late in regulation to get Babson back to within striking distance.

Both teams close out the regular season with home league contests on Saturday afternoon.  WPI entertains MIT in a 2pm tilt while Babson takes on Mount Holyoke at 1pm.

NOTE: Taken from a WPI press release.