Pecsock's Panthers penetrate into playoffs

Author: Andrew Donnantuono

The women's basketball team clinched a spot in NESCAC tournament with a win over Connecticut College 51-40 on Feb. 9 at Pepin Gymnasium. Despite suffering a five-game losing streak that lasted well into February Break, the Panthers finished the regular season with three conference wins and a .500 record. Middlebury (12-12, 3-6) will face the second-seeded Tufts Jumbos on Saturday Feb. 16.

It was a "win and in" situation for Middlebury heading into the game against Connecticut College, and the Panthers knew a win would guarantee them a playoff position, albeit at best a sixth seed. The Camels needed help from other games around the league but were looking for a win to keep their tournament hopes alive.

The visitors looked dangerous and poised for an upset, jumping out to a 9-1 lead by 15:38 in the first half. Unfortunately for the Camels, Captain Carlie Harrington '07 came off the bench and added nine crucial points en route to a 27-17 lead at halftime. Middlebury made the going especially tough for Connecticut College by applying defensive pressure, forcing 18 turnovers in the first half. The Camels coughed it up seven more times in the second half for a total of 25 turnovers, 15 of which were Middlebury steals.

Connecticut College refused fold after the break and tied the game at 28 apiece. However, Middlebury's bench stepped up and turned in two big performances, one from Harrington in the first half and the other from Kaitlyn Fallon '10 in the second. Middlebury retook the lead, which hovered at around five for most of the second half before Fallon, who scored ten points in 16 minutes, put the game out of reach. She converted from the charity stripe after being fouled on the way up during two late lay ups. Those six points proved too much for the Camels to overcome.

Both teams had sub-par games on offense as each made only sixteen buckets even though Middlebury took 12 more shots. Star sophomores Emily Johnson and Ashley Barron, who currently lead the team in scoring, struggled mightily, hitting only one shot each from the floor. On 23 total attempts, they contributed fourteen points, their lowest combined output of the season. Johnson did contribute on the defensive end, collecting five of Middlebury's 15 steals and Barron brought down three offensive rebounds to help the Panthers.

Just a day earlier, Wesleyan came to Middlebury and escaped with a 54-52 when Johnson's triple for the win was blocked by the Cardinals' Kelly Bowman. In addition to her decisive block, Bowman, a starter, made all four of her shots on the night. Middlebury would have locked up a spot in the tournament had Johnson's shot found its way home. Still, Middlebury only had itself to blame, for it failed to take advantage of a 31-23 lead at halftime. The game was consistent with the adage that the team with the least turnovers wins: Wesleyan had only 14 to Middlebury's 18. Barron and Wesleyan's Meredith Lowe shared the game lead with 15 points. Lani Young '08 and Johnson also hit double digits for the Panthers with 13 and 12 points.

Middlebury played a total of five games during Feb. Break. The first two were losses at Tufts and Bates. The Panthers broke their losing-streak at Plattsburgh State University and grabbed a 66-53 victory. It was the fourth game this season in which all twelve players on the roster saw action. Young was outstanding for the Panthers with 20 points.

The Jumbos will be heavy favorites to advance into the second round of the NESCAC tournament on Saturday. Tufts beat Middlebury in Pepin Gymnasium 61-50 on Feb. 2. But do not be surprised if Johnson and the rest of the Panthers turn in an outstanding performance.