THE BASICS

Score: WPI 85, Emerson 64

Records: Emerson Lions (14-9, 7-5 NEWMAC) ; WPI Engineers (19-4, 10-2 NEWMAC)

Date: Saturday, February 15th, 2020

Location: Worcester, Mass. 

The Lead: The Emerson Lions Men's Basketball Team fell to the WPI Engineers in their second matchup of the year, despite 21 points from senior Jack O'Connor (Newport, R.I.).  Emerson sits in 4th place in the NEWMAC with one week to go in conference play.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Emerson

Points: O'Connor (21)
Rebounds: O'Connor (6)

Assists: Ben Holding (2)

WPI

Points: Garrett Stephenson (20)

Rebounds: Stephenson (7)

Assists: Kahleb Downing (5)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Emerson took their first lead of the game with just over 14 minutes remaining in the first half at 7-6.
• From here, the Engineers went on a 21-3 run to take a 27-9 lead with just under five minutes remaining.  Out of a timeout by Emerson, a Jarred Houston (Norwood, Mass.) layup cut the WPI lead to 16, and a Holding layup cut it to 15 with four minutes remaining in the first half.  
• WPI took a 23 point lead at 40-17, but Zach Waterhouse (Hampton, N.H.) connected on three straight free throws to cut the lead to 20 right before halftime.  Emerson went into the break trailing 40-20.
• For the first seven minutes of the second half, the Lions and Engineers traded baskets with neither giving in on the lead.  James Beckwith (Palo Alto, Calif.) connected on a three-pointer with 13:13 remaining in the game to cut the lead to 16 at 50-34, but WPI brought the lead back to 16 a minute later after connecting on a three-pointer of their own.  
• The Lions continued to fight but were unable to get the score under 15 for the remainder of the game, falling to the Engineers by 22, 86-64.

UP NEXT

• Emerson will welcome the Babson Beavers for their final home game of the season on Wednesday night, starting at 7:00pm.  The Lions will honor their two seniors, Jack O'Connor and Ben Holding at their senior night game.