WPI Tops Suffolk, 77-52

Melissa Kuhn (Stoughton, MA) led all players with 16 points and doled out a career-best nine assists to pace fourth-seeded WPI to a 77-52 triumph over fifth-seeded Suffolk Wednesday in an ECAC New England Division III Tournament quarterfinal contest.   

WPI advances to Saturday's semifinals when it travels to top-seeded University of New England at 5pm.  UNE defeated Smith 64-54 in another quarterfinal matchup.  The other semifinal will pit second-seeded Southern Maine and third-seeded Endicott.

The Engineers, who improve to 19-7 on the year, have now won eight of the their nine ECAC Tournament games, including championships in 2007 and 2009.  Suffolk ends its fine season with an 18-11 mark.

WPI used a 29-8 spurt midway through the first half to transform a 7-6 deficit to a 20-point bulge.  Lauren Hannmann (East Greenbush, NY) keyed the surge with seven points and five rebounds including four on the offensive boards.  The sophomore scored all 11 of her points in the first half.    

Kuhn and Hannmann led a WPI offensive attack that featured four double figure scorers.  Elle Fontaine (Franklin, MA) tossed in 12 points while Theresa Logan (Southboro, MA) chipped in with 11.  Baillie McNally (Mapleville, RI) notched a strong all-around game with seven points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists.   

WPI enjoyed a decisive 50-25 edge on the glass with Hannmann and Fontaine each hauling in nine rebounds.  The Crimson and Gray sported a 44-18 advantage in points in the paint and tallied 14 of the game's 18 fast break points.  

Jennifer Ruys (Wallingford, CT) registered a game-high 14 points for Suffolk while Andrea Salaices (Franklin, MA) and Meghan Black (Roslindale, MA) contributed 10 and nine respectively.  Jacqueline Vienneau (Salem, NH) led the Rams with five assists on the night.

(Story courtesy of WPI Sports Information)