Women's basketball hits three threes to top Trinity

Author: Andrew Donnantuono

The women's basketball team fought hard for a split against Amherst and Trinity this weekend in Pepin Gymnasium. In both games, Middlebury held double-digit leads only to see the opposition chip away at them. Amherst successfully completed their comeback and finished off a 65-59 win on Friday evening, but Trinity's efforts on Saturday were in vain and Middlebury escaped with a close 73-69 victory. Middlebury's 73 points were 11 above their season average.

"We played hard against Amherst and we beat the team (Trinity) that knocked us out of playoff contention last year," said Emily Johnson '09.

Trying to get back on track after losing at NESCAC-leading Bowdoin on Jan. 13, Middlebury pounced on Amherst in the early-going courtesy of three three-point bombs by Emily Johnson '09, the second of which was nearly from NBA range.

The Panthers played with a high level of intensity, particularly on offense, and had their biggest lead of the game at 25-14 at 6:18 in the first half. Amherst, who used only three substitutes, cut into the lead with such determination that Middlebury was up just three at the break, 28-25. Although Middlebury had a sizeable lead out of the gates, possession was back and forth, and, besides Johnson's triples, they never truly owned any facet of the game in the first half.

Middlebury made it to 39-29 at 16:52 in the second half, but then the game for the Panthers spiraled out of control. Amherst used their height and speed to take advantage of fast break opportunities, eventually tying it at 41-41.

"I think there were a combination of things that let them back in the game," said Johnson. "For one, we didn't shoot well."

Middlebury began missing some easy shots inside, and the gap continued to increase. Despite taking nine more shots than the Lord Jeffs in the second half, the Panthers could only muster 12-34 from the floor, for 35 percent shooting. None of the starters had an exceptionally productive game statistically, although Jennifer Kelleher '08 contributed nicely off the bench with 14 points on 6-9 shooting. Amherst's Kerry O'Loughlin and first-year Samantha Swenson led their team with 15 and 14 points respectively in the Lord Jeff's victory.

Middlebury returned to Pepin Gymnasium less than 18 hours after their defeat to Amherst in hopes of returning to .500 in conference play with a solid, fundamental game. The Panthers delivered just that in a team effort against Trinity, shooting consistently and hustling for loose balls. Middlebury made thirteen shots both in the first and the second half.

Three minutes into the second half Middlebury surged ahead to make it 40-24, but foul trouble plagued the Panthers, and their lead. Aylie Baker '09, Middlebury's strongest presence inside, got her third foul as the lead was at its biggest and Coach Noreen Pecsok was forced to sit Baker for ten minutes. Lani Young '08, however, did her best to fill the void inside by playing what was arguably her best game of the season. In the loss Young recorded a double-double: 17 points and 12 rebounds, five of which came on the offensive end.

The aggressive play of Katie Fisher '08 and Ashley Barron '09 provided the spark and energy that has fueled the Middlebury basketball team all season. Barron, who was involved in a collision late in the first half, walked to the locker room with her foot wrapped, but she was back on the court after the break and played most of the final 20 minutes.

For Trinity, star Sarah Cox played an immense game. She was on the court for all 40 minutes in the loss, finishing with a double-double on 29 points and ten rebounds.

Nevertheless, ten of those points came in a flourish in the last five minutes which ultimately proved to be in vain.

Pecsok used her bench effectively, splitting time - and 15 points - among sixth-woman Kelleher and captains Carlie Harrington '07 and Dana Weissman '07. Forward Kaitlyn Fallon '10 also contributed four points off of two inside buckets.

The weekend's games move Middlebury to 10-6 on the season and 2-2 in conference play. The Panthers will host the Keene State Owls on Tuesday night before traveling to northwest Massachusetts to take on the highly-touted Williams Ephs on Saturday.