WPI took command early, scoring on its first 10 possessions of the game. The Engineers connected on nine of their first 11 shots from the floor and seemed rejuvenated after a 10-day rest since their last game on February 14th. Ryan Flynn (Hamilton, MA), who along with classmate Brian Steele (Whitinsville, MA) made a rare appearance in the starting lineup, netted his first four three-point attempts of the first half. The Engineers used a 28-10 rebounding advantage in the first half to notch 12 second-chance points.
Wheaton appeared to be a different team in the second half. The Lyons used runs of 19-3 and 12-0 to score 34 of 44 points during the middle portion of the second half to whittle a 34-point deficit to 10 with 6:41 remaining. Center Brent DiGiovanna (Hanover, MA) played like a man possessed, tallying a game-best 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the floor. Eric Johnston (South Windsor, CT) chipped in with 12 points and five steals, while James Greenslit (Framingham, MA) tallied nine points and Sean Kelly (Providence, RI), Brian Zukowski (Dracut, MA) and David Harding (Hanover, MA) each added seven points.
Five different WPI players reached double figures highlighted by Flynn’s 17-point performance. Antoine Coleman (Everett, MA) and Brett Dickson (Bedford, NH) each amassed 14 points while Ryan Cain (Webster, MA) and James Marois (Worcester, MA) both tossed in 11. Dickson’s 15 points were a season-high while Coleman took home game-high rebounding honors with 12 boards. The Engineers overcame a rash of fouls in the middle part of the second half that fouled out Cain, Steele and Dickson with the outcome still very much in doubt.
With the win, WPI improves to 21-3 and will appear in its second straight NEWMAC championship game. Wheaton dips to 16-10 overall and awaits word on Monday on a possible ECAC Tournament bid.
Newspaper Box Score Wheaton vs WPI 2/25/06 1:00pm at Worcester, MA At Worcester, MA WPI 81, WHEATON 67 WHEATON (16-10) Brent DiGiovanna 9-13 2-3 20; Eric Johnston 3-11 6-6 12; James Greenslit 3-5 1-3 9; Brian Zukowski 2-13 2-4 7; David Harding 2-2 3-3 7; Sean Kelly 2-8 2-4 7; Jake Otto 2-5 0-0 4; Kristopher Pedra 0-2 1-2 1; Ben Davis 0-0 0-0 0; Patrick McDonough 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-60 17-25 67. WPI (21-3) Ryan Flynn 5-8 3-6 17; Antoine Coleman 4-12 6-10 14; Brett Dickson 5-9 1-1 14; Ryan Cain 4-5 0-0 11; James Marois 4-6 3-4 11; Adam Lirette 2-5 4-4 8; Sean Ivey 2-3 0-0 4; Brian Steele 1-3 0-0 2; Kyle Gustafson 0-0 0-0 0; Steve Furber 0-0 0-0 0; Kevin Barrett 0-0 0-0 0; Nathan Griggs 0-0 0-0 0; Matthew McCarthy 0-0 0-0 0; NT Izuchi 0-0 0-0 0; Mike Prestileo 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 27-53 17-25 81. Wheaton....................... 21 46 - 67 WPI........................... 53 28 - 81 3-point goals-Wheaton 4-19 (James Greenslit 2-4; Sean Kelly 1-2; Brian Zukowski 1-7; Jake Otto 0-1; Kristopher Pedra 0-1; Eric Johnston 0-3; Brent DiGiovanna 0-1), WPI 10-19 (Ryan Flynn 4-7; Brett Dickson 3-5; Ryan Cain 3-4; Brian Steele 0-1; James Marois 0-1; Antoine Coleman 0-1). Fouled out--Wheaton-Brent DiGiovanna; Sean Kelly; Eric Johnston, WPI-Brian Steele; Ryan Cain; Brett Dickson. Rebounds-Wheaton 27 (Brian Zukowski 6), WPI 47 (Antoine Coleman 12). Assists-Wheaton 10 (Brian Zukowski 3; Sean Kelly 3), WPI 21 (Brian Steele 5; Brett Dickson 5). Total fouls-Wheaton 24, WPI 25. A-750 2006 NEWMAC Tournament Semifinal #1