The women’s basketball team will play Amherst at 4 p.m. tomorrow in the NESCAC semifinals after defeating Middlebury 80-52 at home last Saturday. The Middlebury win marked Bowdoin’s fifteenth consecutive trip to the semifinals of the NESCAC tournament play. It is the only team to reach the second weekend every season that the NESCAC championship has been held.
Last Saturday’s game was a huge score increase from the team’s last matchup against the Panthers, when the Polar Bears won 53-43. The game was also a step forward from last weekend’s loss against Tufts.
“I do think it was a response to not playing our best against Middlebury the first contest,” said Head Coach Adrienne Shibles. “Also some of the things that we recognized in our game against Tufts we really needed to improve on. The team worked very hard all week on those items, specifically on the defensive end, and I think it really showed in the game.”
The last time the two teams faced off, the Panthers were missing a key player and point guard, Christina Nowak.
“The fact that they had her back this time and we won in such dramatic fashion I think shows the improvement of our team in those areas—rebounding and defense,” added Shibles.
The game was closest during the first half Bowdoin kept a lead but Middlebury followed close behind. The Panthers scored a three-point shot and brought the score to 26-22 with only seven minutes remaining. However, Bowdoin’s strong defense only let up five more points from Middlebury before the half. The Polar Bears scored 18 more points in the same time. Sydney Hancock ’17 made a 30-foot buzzer-beater jump shot, and the Polar Bears closed the half ahead 44-27.
During the second half, the Polar Bears continued with unrelenting defensive intensity and offensive execution led by Shannon Brady ’16 with 25 points and eight rebounds. In addition, Ally Silfen ’17 scored 17 points off the bench. Kate Kerrigan ’18 followed with eight points, five assists and 11 rebounds.
Bowdoin was outstanding in rebounds during this game, and outscored Middlebury with a 50-29 rebounding advantage, including 27 offensive rebounds.
The Polar Bears also exceeded the Panthers in field goal percentage, holding 43 percent against Middlebury’s 37 percent.
“Megan [Phelps] was our leading rebounder and really brought a presence to the paint,” said Shibles of dealing with the loss of their injured starting senior. “So that has been something we have had to really focus on, step up, and everyone has had to really improve.”
Looking forward, the Polar Bears will play against Amherst at Tufts for the semifinal game on Saturday.
“Winning NESCAC championships is something we’ve worked for very hard this season,” said Kerrigan. “It’s been one of our goals that we’re trying to accomplish. The semifinals is just another game in the way of that goal.”
The result of this game will determine which team goes to the final round. Last weekend, Amherst beat Colby 62-40 in order to advance to the semifinals. During their last matchup, Bowdoin beat Amherst (23-2, 8-2 NESCAC) in a successful but close game, winning 60-51.
“Every game is critical at this point,” said Shibles. “Our number one focus is going to be on Amherst and they are really hot right now…If [the team is] well prepared, my goal is that they can just relax, enjoy the moment, and play to their potential.”
Kerrigan is hopeful that the team will perform well.
“It’s all about the preparation,” Kerrigan added. “And if we execute the way we can, and play the way we can, we should come out with a victory.”