CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Emmanuel women's basketball hit the road for the first time this season and took away a 64-56 win over the MIT Engineers in non-conference play on Tuesday night from Rockwell Cage. The Saints move to 2-1 early in the season, while the Engineers drop to 1-3 on the year.
Despite several stat categories not going in their favor, the most important of the numbers, made field goals and shooting percentage, accounted for Emmanuel's success on Tuesday night at the Cage.
Emmanuel finished the night being outrebounded by the Engineers 53-26, but thanks to 41.9 percent shooting, the Saints efficiency remained key in the win. The visitors helped their case by causing 31 Engineer turnovers, leading to a matching 31 points off those turnovers.
After trading points to a 9-9 tie in the first quarter, the Saints finished the frame on a 9-3 run, taking an 18-12 lead through one quarter. The Saints small margins in each quarter proved to make the difference all night in Emmanuel's eight-point win.
The Saints expanded their lead in the second, once again patiently pushing away as they increased their advantage. The lead grew from six to as many as 10, as the Saints scored the final four points of the second quarter, giving them a 32-22 lead at the break.
The Engineers closed to within eight points by the end of the third quarter, but the Saints put the final touches on their victory to start the fourth, using a 10-2 run in the opening 3:43, extending their edge to the largest of the night, 57-41. The Engineers responded with a run of their own, but time ran out on the comeback, as the Saints claimed the 64-56 win.
Saints sophomore Tyra Blye finished with a career-high 24 points, shooting 10-for-13 from the floor in 28 minutes. First-year Nylah Mitchell added 14 points in 29 minutes off the bench. Junior Geanna Bryant chipped in with an astounding 12 steals to go along with seven assists and six rebounds.
For the Engineers, Riley O'Sullivan finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the game's only double-double. Four others scored nine points for MIT, while Mary Lobon stuffed the stat sheet with six points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists.
The Saints finish off a three-game in four nights stretch with a game against the University of Southern Maine at 7:30 p.m. on Yosinoff Court tomorrow night. The Engineers start a five-game road trip on Saturday, Nov. 22, heading to Rhode Island College for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off.