The women's basketball team is No. 1?at least according to the latest Division III poll on D3hoops.com.
The team has shown itself to be worthy of the spot with a 7-0 record, its most recent win coming against a previously undefeated Colby-Sawyer (now 6-1) on Thursday night in New Hampshire.
The Bears dominated the whole game, leading the Chargers 26-19 at halftime. Colby-Sawyer would come within five points later in the game, but Bowdoin soon pulled away, finishing the game up 66-48.
Senior tri-captain Eileen Flaherty led the Bears in scoring with 16 points. Tri-captain Katie Cummings '07 scored 12 points and accumulated a game-leading four steals.
The team also displayed its winning ways last weekend thanks to contributions from the whole team?literally. The Polar Bears bested Rensselaer (2-3) 86-36 at home on Saturday, and every player on the Bowdoin team scored at least one basket.
"Everyone on our team always contributes in different ways," Flaherty said. "The box score doesn't show every contribution, but it's nice to have a game where everyone gets a chance to score."
Bowdoin started off the game with a 26-6 run over the first seven minutes of the half. The Polar Bears also played terrific defense, forcing 15 turnovers in the first half alone and 25 in the game.
The team's fast start set the tone for the entire game, Flaherty said.
"I think our success in the game came from coming out strong in the opening minutes and also from having the mental focus to play two solid halves," she said.
Head Coach Stephanie Pemper agreed.
"Our effort, focus, and execution against RPI were outstanding" Pemper said. "They are a better team than the score indicated. It's very rare that we play at that high a level for 40 minutes."
With the win, Bowdoin retained the No. 1 national ranking in the latest D3hoops.com poll, but Pemper says that is no reason to lose focus.
"It isn't our goal to be ranked," said Pemper. "It's our goal to be committed and get the most of our abilities. There are probably 10 teams that can lay claim to being the best in the country and we are one. Most years that's the way it is. Even at the end of the year there are usually four to five teams that can win it all."
The team must still improve if it hopes to contend for a national title.
"We need to improve our man defense," said Pemper. "We need to communicate better, have better vision and positioning, and box out better. Offensively, we have room to grow in terms of setting better screens, knowing and understanding our plays, and being more efficient moving off of the ball."
For the second straight game, Flaherty led all scorers. Flaherty finished the day 9-15 from the field with 22 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
"Eileen is a special player," said Pemper. "If you are a fan of athletics at all, even if it isn't basketball, you would enjoy watching her play. She plays hard and competes on both ends of the court, and she is skilled and confident. She is quite a force."
The Polar Bears face archrival Colby at home on Saturday in their first NESCAC game.