BOX SCORE
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
featured three starters in double figures and used a strong
second half run to defeat Brescia University 72-63 and claim
third place in the Wittenberg Holiday Women's
Basketball Invitational.
Senior Alisa Dickerson (Elizabethtown, Ky.) led all players with 26 points and four assists. Sophomores Kelsey Ploof (Noblesville, Ind.) added 18 points and also grabbed 12 rebounds, while Heather Finnell (Decatur, Tenn./Cleveland) chipped in with 14 points and seven rebounds. Freshman Grace Gibbs (Parker, Colo./Ponderosa) recorded 11 rebounds and eight points.
For her efforts over two games, Dickerson earned a spot on the event's all-tournament team.
Brescia jumped out to a six point lead early in the first half and took a 12 point lead into the half. The Bearcats increased their lead to 17 points with 12 minutes left before Rose-Hulman went on a 22-2 run over the next ten minutes.
The Engineer run started with Dickerson and Finnell three-pointers. Brescia answered with a layup by Jessi Hodge. Another Dickerson three-pointer and a layup by Gibbs followed by four points by Ploof decreased the deficit to just four points. Dickerson and Finnell again hit three-pointers to give Rose-Hulman their first lead since the opening basket, 55-53.
Three made free throws increased the lead to five points when Brescia knocked in two free throws for their first points in over eight minutes. After another Brescia free throw, the Engineers answered with five more points to increase their lead to seven points, 63-56. A layup by Bearcat Hollie Anson was followed by two Dickerson free throws, which was immediately answered by a three point play from Hodge to take the lead down to 65-61 with a minute left.
Brescia managed just one more basket while Rose-Hulman made 5 free throws and a layup to make the final margin 72-63.
The Engineers outrebounded Brescia 45-27 on the day.
The Fightin' Engineers stand 3-8 overall, while Brescia holds a 6-10 record after the loss. Rose-Hulman returns home with a matchup against Earlham College on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Hulbert Arena.