January 14, 2010

Courtesy of Wheaton College Sports Information

NORTON, Mass. – Lauren Sascha Burton tallied a career-high 17 points as MIT committed an Institute-record six turnovers in a 64-39 loss to Wheaton College on Wednesday night. The Lyons improved to 9-5 on the year and 6-1 in NEWMAC play while the Engineers dipped to 2-11 overall and 0-7 in conference action.

Aparna Sud registered nine points, five rebounds, three assists and a trio of steals for the Cardinal and Gray. Liz Burton grabbed a team-high five boards as Kristen Whaley chipped in six points coming off the bench.

Natasha Colon Ortiz led Wheaton with a season-best 13 points and six rebounds. Ida Kruse recorded 10 points and six boards while Jenny Champney and Gabby Barbera pulled down seven rebounds apiece. Andrea Bailey dished out seven assists.

A game-opening 24-4 Wheaton run set the tone early, as the Lyons knocked down nine of their first 13 shots by the 10:32 mark. Ortiz had a scoring burst of seven points in 54 seconds to propel the hosts. Ortiz’s seventh point in the run made the score 11-4 before a pair of threes by Stephanie Walker and a Bailey triple quickly extended the lead to 20-4. The Blue and White closed the frame on a 12-3 spurt en route to a 36-9 halftime advantage.

An Ortiz lay-up at 12:14 of the second frame pushed Wheaton's lead out to 52-17. Trailing 61-26 with 5:30 to go, MIT scored 13 straight points to get to within 22 at 24 seconds before a Barbera three finished the scoring.

In addition to their advantage in turnovers, the Engineers led the way in points off turnovers (8-3) and second-chance points (6-2).