Courtsey of Brian Beard

With its 16-game undefeated streak on the line in a tight game, the women’s basketball team (16–0; 3–0 NESCAC) fought hard to secure a 57–52 win against the Bates Bobcats (9–7; 0–4 NESCAC). The Polar Bears went into the game with two NESCAC wins under their belt against Tufts University (10–8; 0–4 NESCAC) and Connecticut College (11–6; 2–2 NESCAC).

Over the past few seasons, the long-standing rivalry between the two teams has produced several particularly exciting, high-stakes matchups. Last year, the Polar Bears and Bobcats split their regular season series before facing off again in the NESCAC championship game, where Bowdoin claimed the conference title in a packed Morrell Gymnasium.

“Playing against Bates is always really fun,” Carly Davey ’26 wrote in an email to the Orient. “I think nerves with the matchup are inevitable, but they add to the excitement too. We know each other as basketball players so well, because we play against each other all the time. It’s going to be a challenge for both teams every time.”

Last week’s NESCAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, Sydney Jones ’25, scored 20 points, making her the top scorer of the game.

“Yeah, [the award] is really great.… In the NESCAC when everyone’s so good, it really is a good little confidence booster, especially the first week of the NESCAC as we start with some really competitive teams,” Jones said. “The NESCAC is one of the best women’s basketball leagues in the country for Division III, so I think not only that, but coming off with three NESCAC wins … was just nice in general for our team.”

Some of the team’s success can also be attributed to its culture of positivity. This is built notably during winter break, where players’ only focus is basketball. Outside team bonding helps foster an environment where each player wants to show up for each other, which has been demonstrated in the games. Building this connection is crucial, since so many NESCAC players are familiar with each other’s playing styles.

“I think it’s really interesting playing in the NESCAC, because I’m from Massachusetts, and so are so many other girls, so I know at least three girls on every team,” Jones said. “So being much more familiar with those girls, sometimes it makes it easier to scout or get pumped up for [the games].”

The Polar Bears were ahead 24–22 at halftime, and even with the slight lead, the team did not descrease its intensity.

“We went into the game knowing that we would be back and forth,” Jones said. “That’s how it is most of the time when we’re up against Bates. It brings a lot of intensity, especially going to their gym. It’s always pretty packed. I think what’s been really great about us this year is we haven’t let that bother us.”

With just 23 seconds left in the game, Davey scored to secure the victory for the Polar Bears.

“That was definitely a fun shot to hit, but it wasn’t the only play that won us the game,” Davey wrote in an email to the Orient. “Everyone, one-13, contributed to the win and made it happen. I love playing in the big, close games. I think they’re the most fun part of basketball, because it’s what you work all season and off-season for. Winning them is so exciting, especially when you have a team that works as hard and is as dedicated as we are.”

Jones added that the victory over such a fierce conference opponent gives the team motivation heading into the rest of the season.

“Our experience level has really carried out, and our consistency, especially on the defensive end, has really helped us. So I think that was really nice for us to be unwavered and gives us a lot of confidence going into the NESCAC,” Jones said.

Having a “nameless, faceless opponent” approach has allowed the team to focus on the game itself rather than who they are up against. Especially considering the winning streak it is on, finding ways to silence the outside noise has been important for the team to remember its main goal is performing well in March’s NESCAC and NCAA tournaments.

This past Tuesday, the team faced Saint Joseph’s College (11–5), winning 72-37. The Polar Bears face another Maine rival, Colby College (9–7, 3–0 NESCAC), tomorrow at 3 p.m. in Morrell Gymnasium.