Box Score
Host Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology got a well-balanced scoring attack, and equally effective defensive effort on Saturday afternoon, as they recorded a 62-45 win against the Mount. The Lions are now 3-16 overall, 2-10 in the HCAC and will be back in action on Jan. 30 when they play at HCAC-foe Bluffton University.
The Engineers jumped out to a six-point margin halfway through the opening half, but after a lay-up by the Mount's Rachel Blevins (Middletown, OH/Madison) saw their lead cut to 17-15 with 9:11 on the clock. They, however, righted their offense and pulled away from the Lions, leading by a 26-15 advantage with 3:38 on the clock. They pulled into the intermission leading 33-19, thanks to out-shooting the Mount, 59-30 percent from the field.
The home team would maintain their double-digit lead throughout the second half, leading by 13 to 14 points during most of the early going. The Mount's Melanie Monahan (Mason, OH/Bishop Fenwick) would hit two free throws with 3:25 to play to cut the deficit to 54-43 and teammate Chelsea Castleberry (Hebron, KY/Conner) also converted two free throws, with 2:18 left in the game to keep the deficit at 11 points, but the Lions would get no closer. Rose-Hulman was aided in the second half by connecting on all 15 of their free throw attempts, while the Lions hit 10-of-12 from the charity stripe in the second half. The Engineers also out-shot the Lions over the final 20 minutes of play, 47 to 30 percent from the field. Rose-Hulman held a 29-26 rebounding advantage in the game, but committted 19 turnovers to the Mount's 17 miscues.
Tara Dennis (Batavia, OH/Williamsburg) tossed in 15 points for the Mount, while Blevins and Castleberry added eight points each. Castleberry also chipped in six rebounds. Rose-Hulman had three players in double-figures. The Engineers out-scored the Lions, 36-24, in points in the paint in the game.
