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LEXINGTON, Ky. - Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology earned the second postseason tournament win in women's basketball program history with a 53-36 victory over Franklin College on Friday night at Transylvania University.
Rose-Hulman (14-12) secured its first winning season since the Engineers went 21-5 in their inaugural season in the HCAC with the victory. The Fightin' Engineers also avenged two narrow regular season losses to their in-state rival with Friday's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament opening round victory.
The Fightin' Engineers led by as many as nine in the first half when sophomore Kristen Belyea connected on a three-pointer with 5:39 to play to give Rose-Hulman a 20-11 advantage. Franklin would score seven of the half's final ten points as the Engineers took a 23-18 lead into halftime.
The Grizzlies (14-11) scored the first five points of the second half to tie the game, but Rose-Hulman went on a 14-2 run over the next seven minutes fueled by six points from junior Carrie Morris. Franklin would score the next two baskets, but a three-pointer from senior Sheree Williams followed by six consecutive points from junior Cassidy Cain put the game out of reach.
Sophomore Abbie Marshall led all scorers with 13 points off the bench. Cain was the other Engineer to finish in double figures with 12 points. Williams and Morris chipped in nine and eight points respectively.
Katie Brewer and Lauren DeSutter led Franklin in defeat with 13 and 12 points respectively.
Both teams made 14 field goals in the contest, but six of Rose-Hulman's baskets were of the three-point variety. Franklin, on the other hand, only hit one triple. In addition, the Engineers connected on 19-23 attempts from the free throw line. The Grizzlies shot 7-13 from the charity stripe.
The Engineers move on to face No. 2 seeded Hanover College in the HCAC Tournament semifinals tomorrow (Saturday), Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. The two teams split in the regular season with the Panthers winning 71-55 in Hanover and the Engineers winning 70-65 in Terre Haute.
