After a loss in the NESCAC championship and two NCAA tournament wins, the women’s basketball team fell in the Sweet Sixteen, finishing its season with an impressive overall record of 25-5. This season was the first time the team reached the 25-win plateau since 2007, and it was its 11th-ever appearance in the Sweet 16.
The Polar Bears’ 23-4 pre-tournament record earned them the distinction of being a host site for an NCAA regional game, so they played their first two tournament games in the familiar confines of Morrell Gymnasium where they defeated Babson 70-57 and Ithaca 71-66 before falling at Montclair State, 61-54.
Against Babson, senior Sara Binkhorst led the Polar Bears to victory with 19 points. Sophomore Marle Curle also added five assists. Bowdoin outmuscled the Beavers on its way to a 43-32 rebounding advantage.
The Bears’ second-round game against Ithaca was a nail-biter the whole way through. Bowdoin trailed 66-63 with two minutes remaining when Curle caught a pass deep beyond the arc and drained a game-tying three.
On the team’s next possession, Curle dribbled off a pick at the top of the key and again pulled the trigger, nailing another long-range bomb to put the Bears up for good. Curle finished with a career-high 23 points and five rebounds. Shannon Brady ’18 added 21 points and Kate Kerrigan ’18 contributed 11 points and eight rebounds.
“I thought they were a phenomenal team,” said Head Coach Adrienne Shibles of Ithaca. “I thought the team showed a lot of poise down the stretch to come back and win that game. That was certainly a highlight of our season.”
Finally, the team faced Montclair State who took over offensively in the first half, leaving Bowdoin behind 33-18 by halftime. In the second half, the Polar Bears nearly pulled off a comeback to win the game, but Montclair’s four free throws extended their lead to eight points to win the game. Binkhorst led the team again with 15 points, followed by 13 points from Marle Curle ’17. Despite making 77 percent of their free throws this season, the Polar Bears shot only 9-17 from the charity stripe against Montclair.
“There is an element of disappointment,” Shibles said. “And yet we accomplished a great deal and there is a lot to build on for next season.
“The great thing about my job is that every year is a new journey with a different group of women,” she added. “This has been one of the most enjoyable years that I’ve had as a professional coach. It was a joy to walk into practice every day.”
“Making it to Sweet 16 was an amazing accomplishment—one that everyone should be extremely proud of,” said Binkhorst. “Particularly, winning those first two games in Morrell after having a disappointing loss in the first round at home last year.”
“That [mentality] gave us the competitiveness and drive we needed,” Brady added. “Our practices were sometimes more physical than our games.”
The end of this season marks the end of the careers of the team’s three seniors, Megan Phelps, Siena Mitman, and Binkhorst.
“It really was tough to see it come to an end,” said Binkhorst. “Overall, I just feel very lucky to have had such an amazing experience not just this season but all four years.”
“You can’t say that the loss of the three seniors isn’t goingto affect us,” said Brady. “I think what they have taught us and left with us through their leadership and through example will 100 percent carry on through next year.”
Shibles noted that Curle has already emerged as a real leader for the team during this season amid the team’s the loss of Phelps to an ankle injury in the middle of the season, one of the many obstacles that the team overcame.
“I’m most proud of the way they represented Bowdoin,” said Shibles. “And they just carry themselves with a lot of character and class. Every time we met a challenge they responded in a really positive way and they stuck together, and I’m really proud of that.”
Furthermore, Binkhorst and Brady were honored by the New England Women’s Basketball Association (NEWBA), and D3Hoops.com in the Regional Awards last Sunday. Binkhorst was named Player of the Year, and Brady was selected as a NEWBA First Team All-Region choice. Binkhorst was recognized as First Team All-Northeast Region, and Brady as Second Team All-Northeast.