After a win over Tufts and loss to Bates this past weekend, the women’s basketball team retained the top spot in the conference standings with a 5-1 record in the NESCAC. The loss to the Bobcats was only the second Cardinal loss in the past thirteen games, which included a ten-game winning streak.
The winning streak started before the winter recess when the team beat the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Springfield College. After returning from break, the Cardinals went on to beat Suffolk and WPI at the WPI Invitational Tournament. Their great form continued by defeating Rhode Island, Albertus Magnus, Williams, Middlebury, Amherst, and Trinity along the way until they were beaten by Williams in a non-NESCAC game.
Along the way, Hannah Stubbs ’06 was named tournament MVP and Ashley Mastrangelo ’06 was named to the all-tournament team at the WPI Invitational.
“I am really proud of how well the team played over break,” said Stubbs. “I feel that we have grown and gotten better since the beginning of the year and it has shown in the games we have won.”
Following an uplifting victory against Tufts, the Cards fell on the bottom end of a 69-58 score against Bates this past Saturday. Despite the loss to Bates, the Cardinals still remain in contention for first place in NESCAC. At the moment, Wesleyan is tied for first place in the conference with Bates with a record of 5-1. Right behind both squads are Bowdoin and Williams, both sporting 4-1 records. The last two weeks of competition in conference play will be critical as all four teams vie for the top spot in the NESCAC.
“Over break we worked hard, and got back to where we wanted to be,” said Nikki Maletta ’08. “We’re pretty happy about our 4-0 start in the NESCAC and look forward to building on that.”
In the game against Tufts, Wesleyan used a six-minute span to open up a 20-2 advantage, which proved to be too tough for the Jumbos to overcome. Despite Tufts closing a 34-10 halftime deficit to just eight points in the second half, the Cards used a 7-0 run soon after to stretch the lead to double digits, leading to a 62-50 victory.
“Obviously we were happy with our win against Tufts because even though their record isn’t as good as ours, they are still part of the strong NESCAC conference and compete at a intense level,” said Meghan Robinson ’06 after the game. Over the past two games, Robinson picked up 18 points, 18 rebounds, three assists and four steals while making nine of her 13 field goals.
Mastrangelo attributed the win to the great teamwork and praised everyone who played well.
“The game against Tufts was a great win for us because they are a very good team,” said Mastrangelo. “We were able to shut down a few of their key players, making it hard for them to compete with us. Everyone contributed, especially Nikki and Sarah having five assists a piece. Everyone’s effort was amazing; it was really a team win.”
In the contest against Bates, the Cardinals opened the game with a 20-10 lead early in the first half, only to see the ten-point cushion evaporate as the squad trailed at half time, 35-34. In the second half, the Cards remained close as Bates clung to a 55-54 lead with 8:50 on the clock. But the failure to convert their possessions into baskets in the final six minutes led to a disappointing defeat for the Cardinals.
“The game was very disappointing, especially because we were playing so well in the first half,” Stubbs said after the game against Bates. “In the first half we came out strong and our defensive pressure was good. But we let down and let them back into the game. The second half we came within one point but we could not keep up the run on offense or defense.”
Stubbs led the team in scoring both days with 16 points in each contest and a 72.2 percent shooting mark (13-for-18) from the field.
Despite the loss, the team is confident that it can beat Bates in the playoffs.
“The loss to Bates was very frustrating because it was our first loss in the conference which decreases our chances of hosting the tournament,” Mastrangelo said. “Although Bates did play well and came away with the win this time, I’m eager to see them again in the playoffs because I have no doubt that our team will come away with a win.”
Wesleyan’s next match will be against Amherst this Tuesday in a non-conference game.
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