Springfield Defeats MIT, 72-54

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – A 21-2 run during the last six minutes of the first half helped propel host Springfield College to a 72-54 victory over MIT in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) women’s basketball game on Saturday afternoon at Blake Arena. With the win, the Pride improved to 10-9 overall and 8-4 in league play while the Engineers dipped to 4-14 on the year and 2-10 in NEWMAC action.

Lauren Sascha Burton paced the Cardinal and Gray with 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Anna Merrifield and Aparna Sud both chipped in nine points and five boards as Sally Simpson posted eight points. Stephanie Cooke tallied eight points, three caroms, and two assists while Kristen Whaley registered five rebounds, four points, and two steals.

Leading the way for Springfield was Kelly Slattery, who tallied 21 points and added seven rebounds and two blocks. Amelia Sapowsky notched 11 points, six boards, three blocks, two assists, and two steals as Abby Connors registered 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Kelly Murphy contributed nine points to go along with three rebounds and two assists.

Springfield jumped out to an 11-5 lead after four minutes elapsed. During the next five and a half minutes, MIT outscored the Pride, 18-7, for a 23-18 advantage. Springfield trimmed its deficit to one; however, a layup by Cooke and a Simpson three-pointer increased the Engineers’ margin to 28-24 with 6:51 on the clock. A minute later, Springfield mounted its pivotal run that resulted in a 45-30 lead at the intermission.

Merrifield scored the first five points of the second half to narrow the gap to 45-35 after a minute expired. This was as close as it would get as the Pride responded with 10 unanswered points to maintain its comfortable cushion.