Hoopsters Fall in Heroic Surge to NESCAC Throne

Author: David Lindholm

Bowdoin College proved too strong for the Panthers as the Middlebury women's basketball team fell in the finals of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) tournament. Bowdoin, one of the top teams in the nation, got out to an early lead with exceptional shooting en route to a 68-57 victory over Middlebury. The Panthers had defeated Bates the day before to earn their spot in the NESCAC final.

The Panthers knew they would have their work cut out for them before the game against Bowdoin, the hosts of the tournament. The Polar Bears finished with a 24-1 record on the season, topping the NESCAC standings, and showed why against Middlebury, hopping out to a 28-9 lead halfway through the first session.

Bowdoin used stellar shooting and tough defense to stifle the Panthers early. Head Coach Noreen Pecsok cited the Polar Bears' "really good defense," and guard Kristin Hanley '03 looked to Bowdoin's exceptional shooting from the floor as reasons for the early deficit. However, led by strong play of guards Hanley and Megan McCosker '02, the women were able to fight back and cut the lead to 12 before the break. Hanley finished the game with 15 points, leading the team, and McCosker was right behind with 14.

"[In the first] we were taking quick shots," said Pecsok. "We really settled down in the second." The Panthers hung tough with Bowdoin and went on a late run, scoring 17 of the game's final 19 points, but were unable to overcome the Bowdoin lead. "I wasn't disappointed with the game," said Pecsok. "They are a very good team."

If it was the guards that led the team on Sunday, it was the forwards who made their presence felt on Saturday in a great 61-56 win over Bates. This time, it was the Panthers who jumped out to the early lead, going up 14-5 only five minutes into the first half. Middlebury continued to extend their lead, and went into halftime up 15 points at 36-21.

Bates refused to give up, however, as they cut the lead to only two points with 7:17 left to play in the game. But Middlebury was not to be denied, as Hanley drained two key three-pointers to increase the lead to 11 points with three minutes remaining to ice the victory for the Panthers. Alexis Batten '04 led the Panthers with 18 points, while Wesley Hyatt '03 scored 11 and Alexis Hollinger '05 added 10.

"It was a real collective team effort," said Hanley. "We got out to an early lead and we knew that they would go on a run. We anticipated their run and held on at the end. It was one of the best games all year. It was a really good win for us."

The loss to Bowdoin spelled the end of the season for Middlebury, which finished with a sterling 22-5 record. It was one of the Panthers best seasons, but the team saw it as successful on the court as off.

Hanley thought the team did better than "anyone ever anticipated, in terms of not just results but relationships on the team. The leadership from our seniors [Lauren Amen and McCosker] was amazing.

It was probably our most successful season both in terms of results and consistency," said Pecsok. "Everyone involved considered it a great season."