Guards Propel Women's Hoops Past Springfield, Into NEWMAC Championship Game

BOX SCORE

WORCESTER, Mass. -- Becky Bowman (Melrose, MA) led five Babson players in double figures with a game-high 16 points, leading the second-seeded Beavers to a 72-60 victory over third-seeded Springfield in the NEWMAC Tournament's second semifinal on Saturday afternoon at WPI's Harrington Auditorium. Babson (19-8) moves on to face fourth-seed Wheaton in the NEWMAC Tournament Championship on Sunday at noon.

Springfield sees its season come to an end with the loss, finishing up its campaign at 16-11.

After star freshmen forwards Kathleen King (Framingham, MA) and Nicki Wurdeman (Rowley, MA) powered the Babson offense for the majority of the season, it was the Beavers' backcourt that led the charge on Saturday. Along with Bowman's 16 points, which came via 5-for-9 shooting, Babson received 13 points (4-for-6 FG) and five steals from Kristy Benoit (Shrewsbury, MA), 12 points (5-for-11 FG, 2-for-5 3FG) from Michelle Kenel (Rockaway Beach, NY), six points (3-for-4 FG) and five assists from Amanda Grammel (Leominster, MA), and a team-high six assists from Renay Hamilton (Lynn, Mass.). Meanwhile, with Babson's hot shooting opening up the inside, King tossed in 12 points to go with seven boards and Wurdeman posted the game's only double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

With Babson leading by a slim 46-45 margin with 12:37 to play, the Beavers went on a 12-2 run over the next four minutes to take a 58-47 lead and control of the action in the second half. Springfield would repeatedly cut the lead to nine points but could climb no closer, as Babson denied the Pride in its bid to reach its second straight NEWMAC Championship game. Springfield was seeking a rematch with Wheaton, who defeated the Pride 74-69 in the 2008 tournament championship game, but could not overcome the Babson attack.

Springfield led for a majority of the first half, taking a lead on a three-pointer by Rachelle Walker (Lee, MA) at 15:36 that they would hold for over 14 minutes. The Pride would lead by as much as seven in the opening frame, until a layup by Wurdeman with 48 seconds to go in the half gave Babson the lead at 31-30, its first since an 8-7 edge in the early going.

Babson was able to keep the game close in the first half by shooting the ball well, as the Beavers drained 53.8% of their attempts from the floor in the half (14-for-26). A jumper by Grammell as time ran out in the half allowed Babson to go into the locker room with the momentum and the game tied at 33 apiece. 

Corey Finch (Hanover, PA) led the Pride with 16 points in a losing effort. Lauren O'Connor (Valhalla, NY) and Abby Connors (Douglas, MA) were also in double figures, each posting 11 points. O'Connor led Springfield with eight rebounds. Meaghan Cavanaugh (Lowell, MA) chipped in with seven for Springfield, while Kelly Murphy (Mechanicville, NY) dished out a team-high six assists.

Babson will be shooting for their fourth NEWMAC tournament crown when they face defending champion Wheaton (17-10) in the NEWMAC Championship Game on Sunday. Wheaton will be looking to take home a conference-best sixth NEWMAC Championship trophy. Tipoff will be at 12pm at WPI's Harrington Auditorium, with the NEWMAC Men's Basketball Championship game to follow at 2:30pm.

NOTE: Taken from a WPI press release.