MIT dominated the majority of the first half, building a 14-point advantage (38-24) with 4:05 left to play. A pair of free throws from Laura Weslander and Sefi Adasi along with a lay-up by Adasi brought the score to 38-30 at the intermission.
After trading baskets to open the second stanza, the Engineers tallied eight consecutive points, extending their advantage to 16 (48-32) at 14:47. Wellesley responded by going on a 23-7 run during the next 12:26, tying the game at 55 on a lay-up by Adasi. The Blue took its first lead of the contest when Doeberl converted the first of two free throws with 1:17 remaining. A defensive battle ensued until O’Keefe’s basket. Wellesley attempted to answer during the final seconds, but a three-pointer by Courtney Pelley was just off the mark.
Kimberly Soo Hoo paced the Engineers with 15 points and six assists. Cherelle Walls totaled 11 points while Clara Yuan notched nine. Karen Kinnaman recorded a team-high nine rebounds and three steals along with seven points.
Adasi led all scorers with 18 points on a 7-of-15 shooting performance. She also collected nine boards and three steals. Doeberl posted a double-double with 16 points and a game-high 11 caroms. Weslander finished with 11 points and dished out six assists.
The next game for MIT will be on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7:00 p.m. when it hosts Lesley University.