An auspicious start to the season has the Wesleyan women’s basketball team dreaming big—and a newfound commitment to defense could see their audacious hopes realized. A deep and talented cast of returnees, complemented by a freshman-led injection of energy and depth, has the Lady Cardinals off to a 3-0 start, and all indications are that they are poised to continue this success into the new year. This is the first time the Cardinals have been undefeated through three games since the ’04-05 campaign, a year that ended with a 22-5 record and a run to the round of 16 in the NCAA D3 tournament.
This year’s team may not be willing to make proclamations of postseason greatness just yet, but a number of indicators suggest that this could shape up to be a very strong year for the red and black. For one, the Cards have displayed outstanding defensive intensity thus far—an improvement that tri-captain Erin Gold ’11 chalks up to veteran experience along with a dynamic and active freshman corps. This hard work in their own end has manifested itself in some impressive stat lines so far. Wesleyan players have been picking off passes at a prodigious rate, with 43 steals on the year to their opponents’ 17, and have forced numerous shot clock violations. Freshman Amber Wessells ’14 leads the way with eight thefts despite averaging just 11.7 minutes per game off the bench to date.
Wesleyan’s increased activity on defense has reaped rewards on the offensive end as well. The Cards have committed to an up-tempo style this year, with an emphasis on running the floor and shooting in rhythm. This approach is predicated on forcing numerous turnovers, and the team’s repeated larceny has therefore been vital to their offensive success. With floor general McKinley Tennant ’11 (tri-captain) showing exceptional vision and a reliable shooter’s touch, the Cards’ high-scoring ways seem set to continue.
The most important determinant of how far this team will go, however, might be the way they respond to adversity. Last season an inexperienced Cardinals squad, lacking senior leadership, struggled to close out games—to the tune of a 3-7 mark in those decided by ten points or fewer. This year promises to be different, as the return of the entire side means a wealth of experience in pressure situations. Improved bench depth, largely the product of an influx of five freshmen, could play an additional role by making for fewer tired legs down the stretch.
The team’s fortitude has already been tested once this season. After breezing by Newbury 77-16 in the opening round of the Endicott Tip-Off Tournament last Friday, the Cardinals rolled to a 21-point first half lead over the hosts in Saturday’s championship game. The talent-laden Gulls stormed back in the second half, however, and when they pulled to within 53-50 with more than seven minutes remaining, the Wesleyan faithful could have been forgiven for conjuring up visions of last year’s tribulations.
But this edition of the Lady Cardinals was more than up to the task. A layup by Sam LaCroce ’12, followed by a three from Wessells, immediately pushed the lead back up to eight. Endicott would claw back to within four with under three minutes to play, but another clutch triple, this time from Melanie Ferdinand ’12, put the game away for good. LaCroce led the team with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Ferdinand chipped in a near double-double of her own, putting up 9 points and 8 boards.
“This was the type of game where last year we might have folded,” Gold said. “But we stayed poised and hung in there down the stretch to get a big win.” Endicott’s Ashley Wright led all scorers with 19 points, but was harried into a 4-17 shooting night by Gold’s tight man defense.
On Tuesday the Cardinals were back inside the friendly confines of Silloway Gymnasium for their first home game of the year against Western New England College. The Golden Bears came into the matchup sporting a 4-0 mark on the year, but the Cards seemed unimpressed, and meted out a 61-41 clobbering. A 14-0 first half run staked the homestanders to an early advantage, and a 15-0 push midway through the second half sealed the deal. Kendra Harris ’13, pressed into a starter’s role due to illness, rose to the challenge by leading the team with 14 points in her most extensive action of the season. Perhaps even more impressive, Harris set the tone on defense with two steals, a block, and countless additional hustle plays. The Cardinals forced 31 turnovers in all in a dominant defensive effort. Ferdinand, Gold, and Eileen Gaffney ’12 also reached double figures for Wesleyan.
The Lady Cards will look to continue their torrid play this weekend as Silloway Gymnasium plays host to the Courtyard by Marriott Classic. Friday at 6 p.m. will see Wesleyan square off with Keystone in a semifinal bout, with the winner going on to face the Bridgeport State-Vassar winner in Saturday afternoon’s championship game.
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