BOX SCORE
GREENCASTLE, IND. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology relied on a balanced scoring attack and a strong defensive effort to top Spalding University 52-49 in women's basketball action on Sunday.
With the victory, Rose-Hulman claimed third-place honors at the DePauw University Invitational, hosted by the top ranked and unbeaten Tigers.
Freshman Addie Johnson (Caledonia, Mich./Catholic Central) captured a spot on the all-tournament team after leading the Fightin' Engineers with 14 points and three steals.
Junior Kelsey Ploof (Noblesville) contributed a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman Cassidy Cain (Noblesville) rounded out the double-figure scorers with a career-high 10 points.
Sophomore Sheree Williams (Bluffton, S.C.) added eight points for the balanced Rose-Hulman attack. Kelly Harrod and Kerstin Hayes reached double figures with 17 and 11 points for Spalding.
Rose-Hulman overcame a challenging defense from Spalding, which held the Fightin' Engineers to 30% from the field, with solid rebounding and free throw shooting. The Engineers grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and outrebounded Spalding 43-36 on the day.
From the free throw line, Rose-Hulman buried 12 of 15 tries in the second half to finish 18-23 on the afternoon (78%).
The Engineers built an early 12-3 lead on a three-pointer by Cain at the 12:54 mark. The lead remained at nine points at 20-11, before Spalding closed the first half on an 8-2 run to move within 22-19 at the break.
In the second half, Spalding earned its first lead of the day at 37-36 on a three-point play by Harrod at the 10:51 mark. The lead reached as high as five points at 45-40, before a three-point play by Johnson, one free throw by Ploof and a three-pointer by freshman Andi Evers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) knotted the score at 47-47 with 4:05 left.
Rose-Hulman then relied on its defense to hold Spalding without a point until a layup as time expired. Ploof hit four free throws and Cain added another to propel Rose-Hulman to its fourth win of the year.
The Fightin' Engineers stand 4-7 overall and return to conference play on Wednesday with a trip to Earlham College. Spalding stands 2-6 on the campaign.