Late first-half surge lifts women's hoops past WPI, 53-47

WORCESTER, Mass. -- The Brandeis University women's basketball team scored the final 10 points of the first half over the last 4:36 to erase a three-point deficit as the Judges held off host WPI in the second to emerge with a 53-47 victory.

Brandeis (5-2) won its third straight game thanks to a 17-8 advantage in points off turnovers and 22-13 margin in bench scoring. Junior forward Cassidy Dadaos (Healdsburg, Calif.) scored eight of her game-high 12 points in the first half to lead the squad in scoring for the first time this season. Classmate Lauren Orlando (Peabody, Mass.) added 10 points, while senior guard Courtney Tremblay (Peabody, Mass.) contributed a key eight points off the bench, including a pair of 3-pointers, all coming in the second half. Senior Jaime Capra (Old Bridge, N.J.) had a fine all-around game with seven points, and team-highs with seven rebounds and five assists. Rookie reserve forward Amber Strodthoff (DePere, Wisc.) had seven boards as well, including six on the offensive glass, while senior guard Kiersten Holgash (Easton, Pa.) also had five assists.

Kaileen Selen (Worcester, Mass.) led the way for the Engineers (1-4), scoring 12 points while adding six rebounds. Kate Maki (Fitchburg, Mass.) contributed nine points and dished out five assists while Elle Fontaine (Franklin, Mass.) provided a spark off the bench, scoring eight points and hauling in seven rebounds.

Crimson and Gray point guard Natasha Deschene (Presque Isle, Maine) paced all players with eight rebounds while forward Serena Dubois (Bangor, Maine) swiped a game-best four steals.

Brandeis returns to action on Thursday at 7pm with a home contest versus Wheaton.