The women’s basketball team (7-12) took a break from NESCAC play on Wednesday to take on regionally ranked Emmanuel College. After falling behind by 17 early in the second half, Wesleyan got as close as two in the final minute of play, but the Cardinals were unable to overtake the Saints, who prevailed 88-82.
In desperate need of a win, Wes started out strong and jumped out to a 10–4 lead early in the game. Emmanuel, however, known for its intense pressure defense, pressed the Cards throughout the first half and caused many turnovers. Despite their early success against the pressure, the relentless press affected the team’s play, leading to a 24–11 Emmanuel run to gain a 41–29 halftime lead.
During halftime, the coaches made clear to the Cards that they needed to convert their easy lay-ups and to pass through the Emmanuel pressure. Despite this advice, Wes returned to play in the second half and let Emmanuel go on another run to gain their biggest lead of the night at the 17:16 mark, 51-34. Realizing that they couldn’t let the game get away from them, the Cards rallied and reduced their deficit to six at the 14:24 mark. Emmanuel quickly responded and brought the lead back up to 10, but Wes continued to battle and again cut its deficit to six on a jumper by Erin Gold ’11.
The margin continued to fluctuate between nine and six until a steal from Sam LaCroce ’12 and basket by Eileen Gaffney ’12 brought the Cards within four, 69-73, with 4:41 remaining. The Cards called their last timeout with 1:26 to go, and baskets by LaCroce, Melanie Ferdinand ’12, Gaffney, and Gold brought the Cards within two with only 13 seconds remaining. The Cards, however, were forced to foul in order to get the ball back and Emmanuel sank two crucial free throws to extend its lead to four. After making a free throw, the Cards ran the ball down the court in an attempt to get it to Ferdinand on the three-point line, but the ball was stolen and Emmanuel put it in to win the game 88–82.
Gold finished with a career-high 24 points in the loss, and three other Cards finished in double figures, as well. Wes outscored Emmanuel 54-47 in the second half, but the deficit the Cards let themselves fall into in the remaining minutes of the first proved to be too large to overcome. In their last three games, the Cards played well, but their inability to play for the entire 40 minutes has led to some tough losses. The Cards have three more games remaining in NESCAC play, and they will have to prove that they can play the entirety of the game if they want to see a spot in the NESCAC tournament.
Wes will host Connecticut College on Saturday at 2 p.m. in a game crucial to both teams’ postseason hopes.
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