BOX
SCORE
WORCESTER, Mass. -- Becky Bowman (Melrose, MA)
led five Babson players in double figures with a game-high 16
points, leading the second-seeded Beavers to a 72-60 victory over
third-seeded Springfield in the NEWMAC Tournament's second
semifinal on Saturday afternoon at WPI's Harrington Auditorium.
Babson (19-8) moves on to face fourth-seed Wheaton in the NEWMAC
Tournament Championship on Sunday at noon.
Springfield sees its season come to an end with the loss,
finishing up its campaign at 16-11.
After star freshmen forwards Kathleen King
(Framingham, MA) and Nicki Wurdeman (Rowley, MA)
powered the Babson offense for the majority of the season, it was
the Beavers' backcourt that led the charge on Saturday. Along with
Bowman's 16 points, which came via 5-for-9 shooting, Babson
received 13 points (4-for-6 FG) and five steals from Kristy
Benoit (Shrewsbury, MA), 12 points (5-for-11 FG, 2-for-5
3FG) from Michelle Kenel (Rockaway Beach, NY), six
points (3-for-4 FG) and five assists from Amanda
Grammel (Leominster, MA), and a team-high six assists from
Renay Hamilton (Lynn, Mass.). Meanwhile, with
Babson's hot shooting opening up the inside, King tossed in 12
points to go with seven boards and Wurdeman posted the game's only
double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
With Babson leading by a slim 46-45 margin with 12:37 to play, the
Beavers went on a 12-2 run over the next four minutes to take a
58-47 lead and control of the action in the second half.
Springfield would repeatedly cut the lead to nine points but could
climb no closer, as Babson denied the Pride in its bid to reach its
second straight NEWMAC Championship game. Springfield was seeking a
rematch with Wheaton, who defeated the Pride 74-69 in the 2008
tournament championship game, but could not overcome the Babson
attack.
Springfield led for a majority of the first half, taking a lead
on a three-pointer by Rachelle Walker (Lee, MA) at 15:36 that they
would hold for over 14 minutes. The Pride would lead by as much as
seven in the opening frame, until a layup by Wurdeman with 48
seconds to go in the half gave Babson the lead at 31-30, its first
since an 8-7 edge in the early going.
Babson was able to keep the game close in the first half by
shooting the ball well, as the Beavers drained 53.8% of their
attempts from the floor in the half (14-for-26). A jumper by
Grammell as time ran out in the half allowed Babson to go into the
locker room with the momentum and the game tied at 33 apiece.
Corey Finch (Hanover, PA) led the Pride with 16 points in a
losing effort. Lauren O'Connor (Valhalla, NY) and Abby Connors
(Douglas, MA) were also in double figures, each posting 11 points.
O'Connor led Springfield with eight rebounds. Meaghan Cavanaugh
(Lowell, MA) chipped in with seven for Springfield, while Kelly
Murphy (Mechanicville, NY) dished out a team-high six assists.
Babson will be shooting for their fourth NEWMAC tournament crown
when they face defending champion Wheaton (17-10) in the NEWMAC
Championship Game on Sunday. Wheaton will be looking to take home a
conference-best sixth NEWMAC Championship trophy. Tipoff will be at
12pm at WPI's Harrington Auditorium, with the NEWMAC Men's
Basketball Championship game to follow at 2:30pm.
NOTE: Taken from a WPI press release.
