After a basket by WPI’s Lee Helberg five seconds into the game, MIT rattled off 10 unanswered points. Back to back baskets and a made free throw by Pajonas was followed by Tech’s Cherelle Walls sinking one of two shots from the charity stripe, extending MIT’s lead to four (11-7). Helberg gave WPI the lead for good by nailing a three-pointer and scoring a basket from the floor at the 8:52 mark. WPI extended its lead to as many as eight points before Samia Mahjub scored MIT’s first basket in over nine minutes. Tech was able narrow WPI’s margin to two (21-19) with 1:42 remaining in the half. WPI entered the intermission with a 25-20 advantage.
WPI’s offensive momentum continued in the second stanza, extending its lead to 19 points (47-28) at 9:36. MIT was able to chip away at the commanding advantage, coming within 13 (50-37) with 4:40 left to play. WPI responded by going on an 11-3 run to end the game.
Despite being on the short end of the score, MIT controlled the glass, out-rebounding WPI, 54-31. MIT had 33 offensive and 21 defensive boards compared to eight and 23 by WPI.
Samia Mahjub posted 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds for MIT. Karen Kinnaman had seven points and a team-best four steals off the bench.
For WPI, Ashley Zalucky, Sarah Doyon, and Lee Helberg each contributed 11 points. Helberg had a team-high seven rebounds while Allison Wing collected six caroms, six points, and a game-high six assists.
The next game for MIT will be on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 7:00 p.m. when it travels to NEWMAC foe Babson College.