Wheaton also had its 10-game home winning streak dating back to last season come to an end, as the Lyons had posted an 8-0 mark in Emerson this season. Wheaton falls to 13-3 overall and 4-1 in the NEWMAC, while the Engineers posted their fifth straight win and raise their record to 14-1 and an unblemished 5-0 in conference play.
The hosts began the game on an offensive shooting spree, as the Lyons knocked down 12 of their first 16 shots for an impressive .750 percentage. Senior Josean Vega's (Pawtucket, RI/St. Raphael's) three-point basket with 11:49 to play gave Wheaton a comfortable 25-12 advantage. The Lyons maintained a 13-point lead at 34-21 following a three from freshman Eric Johnston (South Windsor, CT/East Catholic) with 6:49 to play.
From that point forward, the Engineers shut down the Wheaton attack and outscored the Lyons, 16-3 the rest of the way to knot the game at 37 apiece entering the intermission. WPI sophomore center Scott Misiaszek (Old Lyme, CT/Old Lyme) spearheaded the charge, rejecting five of his career-best 11 blocks during that spurt. He finished the first half with 13 points (6-8 FG), eight blocks and seven rebounds. Vega and Johnston led Wheaton with 10 points apiece. The Engineers converted 17-of-30 (.567) from the field, while the Lyons cooled off considerably, making 16-of-40 (.400) from the floor.
Wheaton led through the majority of the second half and held a pair of six-point advantages in the latter part of the stanza, including a 58-52 lead with 7:27 to go. The Engineers responded to tie the game on three occasions and eventually took their first lead of the contest on a Mike Prestileo (South Windsor, CT/South Windsor) jumper with just under two minutes to play. Following a steal and pair of free throws by Wheaton junior James Greenslit (Framingham, MA/Rivers School), the hosts knotted things up at 64 with 1:07 to go.
Trailing by three following a Misiaszek conventional three-point play from WPI, the Lyons used a free throw from senior Mike Stanton (Lynnfield, MA/Brewster Academy) and two more freebies by Vega following an Engineer turnover to tie the game with three ticks on the clock. Following a timeout, the Engineers eventually got the ball into the hands of Flynn, who took his man to the right side of the basket for the running one-handed lay up. Wheaton's last-second three ended up falling short, as WPI was able to hold on for the dramatic victory.
Vega led three Wheaton double-figure scorers with a season-high 21 points, while Stanton finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. Johnston added 10 points, while senior Mark Ledwell (Charlemont, MA/Mohawk Trail Regional) pulled down a career-best 12 rebounds.
For WPI, Misiaszek turned in an outstanding triple-double performance of 18 points (8-11 FG), 14 rebounds and 11 blocks in 33 minutes of action. Junior Brian Steele (Whitinsville, MA/Northbridge) posted 14 points (6-9 FG), while freshman Antoine Coleman (Everett, MA/Everett) registered a double-double of 10 points and 11 boards. Sophomore Ryan Cain (Webster, MA/St. John's) added 11 points in the victory.
Wheaton will wrap up its five-game homestand on Tuesday, January 25 against NEWMAC foe Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) at 7:30 p.m.
Newspaper Box Score WPI vs Wheaton College 1/22/05 3:00 p.m. at Emerson Gymnasium, Norton, Mass. At Emerson Gymnasium, Norton, Mass. WPI 69, WHEATON COLLEGE 67 WPI (14-1, 5-0) Scott Misiaszek 8-11 2-3 18; Brian Steele 6-9 2-5 14; Ryan Cain 5-13 0-0 11; Antoine Coleman 4-8 2-2 10; Ryan Flynn 4-6 0-0 8; Mike Prestileo 4-9 0-0 8; James Marois 0-2 0-0 0; Steve Furber 0-1 0-0 0; Brett Dickson 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 31-60 6-10 69. WHEATON COLLEGE (13-3, 4-1) Josean Vega 8-20 3-5 21; Mike Stanton 4-13 4-7 13; Eric Johnston 4-11 0-0 10; James Greenslit 2-4 4-5 8; Sean Kelly 2-6 3-5 7; Mark Ledwell 3-13 0-0 6; Brent DiGiovanna 1-6 0-0 2; David Harding 0-0 0-0 0; Brian Zukowski 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-73 14-22 67. WPI........................... 37 32 - 69 Wheaton College............... 37 30 - 67 3-point goals-WPI 1-11 (Ryan Cain 1-5; Brian Steele 0-2; Ryan Flynn 0-1; Mike Prestileo 0-1; Steve Furber 0-1; Brett Dickson 0-1), Wheaton College 5-15 (Josean Vega 2-6; Eric Johnston 2-4; Mike Stanton 1-4; Sean Kelly 0-1). Fouled out--WPI-Ryan Cain, Wheaton College-None. Rebounds-WPI 36 (Scott Misiaszek 14), Wheaton College 46 (Mark Ledwell 12). Assists-WPI 10 (Brian Steele 3), Wheaton College 8 (Sean Kelly 3). Total fouls-WPI 19, Wheaton College 13. A-325