Bates to face Bates in consolation

WORCESTER – Senior Ian Converse (Woodstock, CT) handed in a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds and sophomore Jamani Spencer (Closter, NJ) came off the bench to add 14 of his own in a 59-55 men's basketball victory over Salve Regina in the opening game of the second annual Ted Coghlin Memorial Tournament Friday night in Harrington Auditorium. It was Converse's fifth career double-double.

The Engineers improve to 2-0 for the 14th consecutive season while the Seahawks, who fell to Division I Bryant on Tuesday, move to 0-2.

Salve Regina held an early and late lead in the opening frame while WPI was in front for 17:26. The Engineers used a 17-8 run to distance themselves by nine (19-10) following a jumper by Converse eight minutes in. Senior Nicholas Bates (Danvers, MA) cut the deficit to seven before Spencer canned a pair of freebies less than a minute later. The momentum then shifted to the guests as they capitalized on a 15-5 rally to take the 27-26 lead into the cloakroom. Senior Sean Doncaster (Medford, MA) looked to give the Engineers a two-point lead; however, his 3-point buzzer-beater attempt caromed off the rim.

WPI opened the second half with a 10-0 run, highlighted by back-to-back triples by junior Connor Willgress (Mill Creek, WA) and Spencer. Bates interrupted with a traditional three-point play at 16:23. Junior Dave Zielinski (Shelton, CT) gave WPI the 44-12 lead at 11:50 with his second three of the frame. Down 53-41 with 2:23 to play, Salve Regina mounted a rally to pull within a pair as :12 displayed on the scoreboard. Junior Rodney Morton (Malden, MA) topped off the spurt with a trey and was awarded a foul shot which would have made it a one-point game. The Engineers were aided by a 6 for 6 effort at the line to stay in front.

Doncaster finished with 10 points to go with four assists and three steals by Spencer.

Bates poured in a game-best 21 points, totaled 11 rebounds and three helpers while Morton contributed 17 points for the guests.

The Engineers went 12 for 14 at the charity stripe and held advantages in points off turnovers (24-11), second chance points (15-10), fast break points (4-0) and bench points (22-15. The Seahawks had the 26-22 edge in the paint.