November 21, 2009

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Despite outscoring Philadelphia Biblical University, 26-20, in the second half in addition to having edges in points off turnovers (17-16), second-chance points (10-3), and bench scoring (6-2), it would not be enough as the Crimson Eagles registered a 57-43 victory over MIT at the Gordon College Invitational. Lauren Sascha Burton represented the Engineers on the All-Tournament Team.

Sally Simpson paced the Cardinal and Gray (0-3) with 13 points as Anna Merrifield totaled a game-high 13 rebounds to go along with six points. Burton tallied six points, five assists, two steals, and a block while Kristen Whaley hauled in five boards. Aparna Sud notched nine points and five caroms as Erica Pino collected four rebounds in eight minutes of action.

PBU jumped out to an 8-2 advantage, but a basket by Sud narrowed the gap for MIT with 17:26 on the clock. The Crimson Eagles responded with 11 straight points to gain some breathing room. A jumper from Sud and a three-point play by Stephanie Cooke brought the Engineers within 10 (19-9) midway through the frame. PBU countered with an 18-8 run that resulted in a 37-17 advantage at halftime.

The Crimson Eagles led off the second stanza with a layup, however, the Cardinal and Gray countered with eight unanswered points that cut its deficit to 14 (39-25) at the 15:36 mark. The scoring was balanced during the next seven minutes until PBU scored eight points in a row to take its largest lead of the game (55-31) with 5:46 left to play. MIT continued to attack, closing the contest with a 12-2 run to set up the final score.