Leicester, MA --- Junior Theresa Logan (Southboro, MA) scored a team-high 12 points and brought down six rebounds to lift WPI to its second consecutive Worcester City Women's Basketball Tournament Championship with a 53-46 victory over Worcester State at Leicester Gym on the Becker Campus on Saturday.
With the win WPI is now 2-1 to start their season while Worcester State's record stands at 1-2.
WPI repeats as tournament champions, having won the event four times previously including 2010. Worcester State has won tournament on three occasions in the 33 year history of the event, with the last win coming in 2009.
Logan also had two steals, two assists and a key block for the Engineers of WPI. Senior Baillie McNally (Mapleville, RI) equaled her career-high with 11 points with dished out a game-high six assists while classmate Lauren Hannmann (East Greenbush, NY) had a great overall effort, finishing with seven points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists.
For the Lancers of Worcester State, fourth-year Kaleigh Charette (Fairhaven, MA) led all scorers with 20 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Freshman Shannen El-Qasem (Rutland, MA) contributed ten points, four rebounds and two steals. sophomore Meaghan Burns (W. Brookfield, MA) finished with eight points and five rebounds.
The Crimson and Grey of WPI jumped out to a 12-4 advantage, led by McNally who had a basket and three free throws in the opening minutes. The Lancers would rally cutting the lead down to one at 14-13 after a jumper by junior Kara Rogers (Lowell, MA). The defensive battle would continue into halftime with WPI leading 23-18.
As the second half got under way, the Engineers quickly increased their lead with jumpers by Hannmann and Kelly Morgan (Brookline, NH), going up 28-18. The Lancers made rallies throughout the period, coming within four on a layup by El-Qasem midway through the half with WPI leading 34-30.
With 5:19 remaining in the game, WPI's Dani Davis (East Granby, CT) hit a huge three-pointer to extend the Engineer lead to eight, 45-37. Worcester State would immediately answer as freshman Meghan Keohane (Mansfield, MA) completed a three point play to pull her team to within five, 45-40.
Like two tired heavy-weights entering the final round, both teams exchanged shots and great defensive plays down the stretch. A critical flurry came with 1:24 remaining and WPI leading 49-44 when the Worcester State press forced a turnover in the backcourt. Logan swept in to block a layup by El-Qasem, quickly securing the rebound and then drawing a foul.
Down by six with 19 seconds remaining, the Lancers' freshman Cheyenne Jennings (Worcester, MA) missed a three point shot and Worcester State was forced to foul, putting the game out of reach for the Lancers.
Logan was named MVP of the tournament while Hannmann was named to the all-tournament team. Burns and Charette both earned all-tournament honors for Worcester State.
Up next for WPI, the Engineers will play host to the Camels of Connecticut College on Tuesday, November 22nd. The Lancers will host the Corsairs of UMass Dartmouth, also on Tuesday.
Full Release Courtesy of Becker College Sports Information