CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Tricia Culver scored a game high 17 points last night in a back and forth battle at MIT. The contest that featured eight ties and five lead changes was close the entire 40 minutes, but MIT was able to hang on for the 52-46 victory in Cambridge.
Each side traded baskets to start the game until back-to-back buckets from Erica Pino gave MIT a 10-8 edge at the 12:05 mark. Lasell then went on a 10-2 run during the next six minutes, capped by a three-pointer from Kelsey Converse, to capture its largest lead (18-12) of the night. MIT then went on 13-0 run that put the hosts ahead, 25-18, with 1:17 remaining in the half. A jumper and a put-back from Reegan Brackett as time expired brought the Lasers within three (25-22) at the intermission.
Lasell carried the momentum into the second stanza as a basket from Culver and a three-pointer by Katie Farr resulted in a 27-25 advantage. A trio of ties ensued evening the game at 31 with 15:34 on the clock. Following three minutes of scoreless play, MIT converted on a lay-up and a 3 point play to go up, 36-31. The Lasers slowly chipped away at the deficit, knotting the contest at 37 on a Culver basket with 7:43 left to play. The Engineers responded with eight unanswered points during the next four minutes to gain some breathing room.
Lasell battled back, cutting its deficit in half (46-42) courtesy of a jumper by Culver and a three-pointer from Converse with 2:19 remaining in regulation. A pair of free throws by MIT increased the margin again, this time for good as the Lasers ran out of time in the contest.
First year player Kim Archibald continues to be a factor for Lasell as she pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds, including seven off of the offensive glass, for the Lasers. Brackett recorded nine points and eight boards and Converse posted eight points and two assists in the loss.
The women drop to 0-4 and will not be in action again until next week when they travel to Roger Williams University for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off on Tuesday, December 1st.