BOSTON, Mass. –  Catherine Cloutier scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Janissa Delzo  added eight points in a hard fought loss to WPI in a NEWMAC match-up.

EC is now 8-14 on the season, and 4-13 in NEWMAC play.  WPI improves to 9-13, with an in-conference record of 7-10.

The Lions started slow, turning the ball over on their first five possessions.  Delzo broke the early drought though, scoring a layup with 14:50 remaining in the half.  WPI struggled early as well though, thanks to tough EC defense.  The Engineers failed to find open shots as EC chipped away at an 8-2 hole.

Coming off the bench, rookie Elizabeth Horan made three 3-pointers, scoring nine points in the first half.  Cloutier was deadly in the paint, driving inside for eight points, including a second chance layup with 3:57 to play in the first half, extending the Lions' lead over WPI to make it 23-13.

WPI responded late, bringing the deficit down to four.  EC ended the half leading 25-21.

The Lions continued to play stout defense in the second half, but struggled from the field.  EC only made 36% of their shots, and failed to make a 3-pointer in the last twenty minutes of play.  The lack of perimeter shooting ultimately cost the Lions.

The second half was back-and-forth, with WPI tying the score 33-33 with 13:49 left in regulation.  The Engineers went on a 9-0 run which proved too large a deficit for the Lions to overcome.

Kristin Brice came alive in the second half for EC after being shutout in the first, scoring six points and making key blocks on defense.   

EC continued to play from behind, but rallied late.  With 1:55 left to play, Kelsey Johnson drained a jumper to cut the WPI lead to 50-45.  However, the Engineers responded on their next offensive possession, with Siena Mamayek making a layup and drawing a foul, creating a 3-point play, effectively ending the game.

Mamayek (13 points, 5 rebounds) and Amaia Gritsko (six points, five steals) led WPI to victory.

Next tip-off for the Lions will be at Mount Holyoke February 15 at 1 p.m.

Written by Keely Flanagan, Emerson Athletics Media Relations