Late 9-0 run hands Bates its ninth loss

Author: Peter Baumann

With the NESCAC championship right around the corner, the women's basketball team split a crucial two-game homestand on Feb. 11 and 12. The Panthers fell to Tufts, before rallying late to earn a much-needed victory over Bates the following day.

The women entered the weekend tied for fifth in the league with a similar league-record to Bates, but were looking up at the second-place Jumbos. Undaunted by Tufts' superior record, the Panthers held strong during a first half that saw 10 lead changes, before entering the locker room down three. But the Jumbos exploded out of the gate in the second half, sprinting to a 19-point lead halfway through the second frame. Middlebury tried to claw back, but in the end came up short, dropping the contest 61-46.

The Panthers shot less than 30 percent from the field, including going only 3-of-19 from behind the arc. Tri-captain Lani Young '08, who finished with a team-high 13 points, was the only starter to shoot over 50 percent. The bench provided little relief, finishing with only eight points, compared to 19 from their counterparts from Medford.

"I think our low shooting percentage really hurt us in the long run," said point guard Emily Johnson '09, who sustained a concussion towards the end of the first half. "We didn't finish our shots well enough to stay with a team as talented as Tufts."

The loss, coupled with Bates' road victory over Williams the same night, dropped the Panthers a game behind the Bobcats in the standings, and set up a must-win duel at Pepin. Making matters even more difficult for the Panthers, Johnson's concussion from the night before proved serious enough to keep her out of Saturday's lineup.

But putting the previous night's loss and the loss of their leading scorer behind them, the Panthers attacked early and often on Saturday, using a stifling defense to take a five-point lead at the half.

However, brining back nightmares of the night before, Bates used a 15-4 run to open the second-half to wrest back the lead, and go up 33-26 with a little over 10 minutes left. But, the Panthers caught fire, using a 9-0 run, including five points from Ashley Barron '09, to jump out to a lead they would never relinquish. Thwarting two last-ditch efforts by Bates, the Panthers were able to hold on and secure the 42-41 victory.

Middlebury had a much better afternoon from the field, hitting a third of their shots, and holding the Bobcats to less than 15 percent from behind the three-point line.

Barron, who took over the point guard duties with Johnson out of the lineup, led the squad with 10 points and seven rebounds, while Kaitlyn Fallon '10 added four boards and four points on 2-of-3 shooting.

"Saturday's game was a true team effort," said tri-captain Katie Fisher '08, who finished with seven points. "From an injured player offering key advice, to typically quiet players stepping their game up, this was a great win. It pretty much secured our going to the playoffs, and it gives us a confident swagger heading into this weekend's games."

The Panthers finish up their regular season schedule with contests at Wesleyan and Connecticut College on Feb. 15 and 16. Barring any unforeseen complications, Johnson has been cleared to play and should start in the backcourt for both of the games.