CHESTERTOWN, Md. - The Swarthmore College women's basketball team opened its three-game road swing with a 58-49 victory over Washington College on Thursday night.
The Garnet led from start to finish as they were able to withstand a second half surge from the Shorewomen. Swarthmore did the little things well as it won the turnover battle 13-24, while shooting 11-of-14 (78.6) from the foul line compared to its opponent, who struggled at 8-of-17 (47.1) from the charity stripe.
Swarthmore also received extraordinary contributions from its bench players as they outscored the Shorewomen reserves, 30-7. Carly Murphy led all scorers with 14 points off the bench, while Katelyn Becker and Neve Yair each scored five points in bench minutes.
Dana Bandurick and Alyssa Hayashi both posted double figures to pace the Garnet starters. Bandurick tallied 12 points, while Hayashi contributed 10 points. After tonight's contest, Bandurick is just nine points away from reaching the 1,000 points milestone.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Garnet defense smothered the Shorewomen in the opening stanza as they allowed just seven field goal attempts, while forcing nine turnovers. Swarthmore pulled away towards the end of the stanza with a 12-0 run to build a commanding 15-point lead at the end of the quarter. Bandurick opened the run with a pair of layups, while Becker added a jumper and Hayashi and Yair each knocked down three-pointers, 21-6.
- After a Washington three to open the second, Elisa Fiore connected from long range to match the Shorewomen. Both teams traded buckets the entire quarter as each struggled from the field. Swarthmore held on to win the quarter and expand its lead to 17 points heading into halftime, 32-15.
- The Shorewomen made up ground with a quick 8-0 run to open the third quarter. Murphy hit the team's first bucket of the half with 6:00 left to extend the team's lead back over double digits, 34-23. The Garnet recorded just two field goals in the quarter and were outscored 19-7, while Washington trimmed its deficit to five points, 39-34.
- The Garnet regained separation with five-unanswered points to open the fourth quarter. Murphy started the quarter with a jumper, while Vanessa Amsinger nailed a three-pointer to take a 10-point lead in the opening minute of the fourth. Washington would then close the gap with eight-unanswered points to pull within a basket until Becker drained a much-needed three to provide a clutch answer for Swarthmore.
- Later in the fourth, the Shorewomen found themselves within two points again with 4:47 left before Hayashi countered with a layup and Bandurick increased Swarthmore's lead with an and-one bucket, 52-45. Washington threatened again as they pulled within three points before the final minute of play, but Murphy was able to seal a Garnet victory with a corner jumper with 40 seconds remaining.
GARNET LEADERS
Points: Murphy 14, Bandurick 12
Rebounds: Bandurick 9
Assists: Hayashin 3
Steals: Hayashi, Bandurick, Murphy 3
UP NEXT
The Garnet (9-9, 7-6) continue their three-game road swing at Gettysburg College on Saturday.
