Engineers Edged out by Clark, 44-42

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Ivori Aiken’s running jumper in the paint with 11 seconds remaining in regulation lifted visiting Clark University to a 44-42 win over MIT in a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) women’s basketball game on Saturday. Lauren Sascha Burton tallied 10 rebounds, nine points, five assists, and four steals for the Engineers (3-13, 1-9 NEWMAC). Jillian Camilleri had a solid outing for the Cougars (4-13, 3-7 NEWMAC) as she posted 12 rebounds, 10 points, two assists, and a pair of steals.

Each side traded baskets to start the contest until MIT scored 11 straight points to establish a 13-2 lead at the 10:47 mark. Back-to-back three-pointers from Chloe Carden quickly trimmed Clark’s deficit to five (13-8). A pair of treys by Aparna Sud and a basket by Stephanie Cooke put the Engineers up, 21-8, with 6:35 remaining in the half. The tandem of Camilleri and Kate Minister produced nine unanswered points which brought the Cougars within four (21-17) in a span of almost four minutes. Anna Merrifield ended the run with a three-pointer to give the Cardinal and Gray a 24-17 advantage at the intermission.

A jumper from Sally Simpson extended MIT’s margin on the opening possession of the second stanza. Clark countered with a 14-5 run that evened the frame at 31 midway through the half. Merrifield’s basket put the Engineers in front at the 9:29 mark, but a layup from Eleni Dixon began a string of six unanswered points during the next 2:30 for the Cougars. A three-pointer from Sud and a basket by Burton sandwiched Maggie Croft’s free throw and knotted the score at 38. Croft then drained a pair of shots at the charity stripe to give Clark the slight edge with 3:36 on the clock. Burton replied with two successful shots from the free throw line 1:16 later. Following two minutes of scoreless play, Aiken’s put-back gave the Cougars a 42-40 lead. On MIT’s next trip down the court, Sud converted both ends of a one-and-one with 18 seconds remaining. Aiken then sank what proved to be the game-winning basket as the Engineers’ final attempt fell short.

Sud registered a game-high 14 points to go along with four rebounds and four steals. Simpson notched nine boards and six points as Cooke grabbed eight caroms. Merrifield totaled seven points for the Cardinal and Gray.

Minister compiled 11 points, six rebounds, three blocks, and two steals for the Cougars. Aiken, who scored four of her six points during the final 30 seconds of action, also finished with six boards and two assists.

Both squads will continue conference play on the road on Wednesday, Jan. 27. MIT will travel to the U.S Coast Guard Academy while Clark will take on Wellesley College.