Saturday women: Fourth to be reckoned with

More news about: Amherst | Christopher Newport | Hope
Jan 15, 2022
Jovia Winkey came up big for Christopher Newport and the Captains pushed past No. 22 Mary Washington on Saturday afternoon.
Photo by Anthony Giles
 

Strong fourth quarters propelled No. 2 Christopher Newport and No. 3 Amherst to big road wins in their Top 25 matchups on Saturday afternoon while No. 1 Hope now has the fourth longest winning streak in Division III women's basketball history.

No. 22 Mary Washington held Christopher Newport well below its 93-point scoring average, but the Captains scored enough late in the fourth to beat the Eagles, 68-61, even without All-American Sondra Fan.

Mary Washington started the fourth quarter with a five-point lead when the Captains put together a 9-2 run capped by Anaya Simmons’ steal and layup that gave CNU its first lead of the game, 51-49. The Eagles hung close, tying the game at 57 and 59, until the Captains put the game away with another 9-2 run late in the fourth quarter.

Jovia Winkey stepped into the starting lineup for Fan and led the Captains (14-0) with 14 points and a 9-for-10 performance from the foul line. Christopher Newport has won 31 straight games, setting a new program record.

No. 3 Amherst appeared to be headed toward a lost weekend, down nine entering the fourth quarter at No. 9 Tufts after losing to Bates on Friday night. But the Mammoths found their offense, shut down the Jumbos and pulled away for a 62-53 win.

Gabby Zaffiro led the fourth-quarter rally, scoring 13 of her game-high 23 points in the final quarter, including two 3-pointers. Dani Valdez added a double-double for the Amherst (9-1, 2-1 NESCAC). Angela Alibrandi scored 16 points for Tufts (11-2, 2-1 NESCAC) which did not have double-double averaging forward Maggie Russell.

Tufts' loss leaves an unusual duo atop the NESCAC standings. Bates (11-3, 3-0) defeated Hamilton 71-59 behind a 25-point performance by Mia Roy, and the Bobcats are tied with Trinity (Conn.), which did not play Saturday.

Albion started strong at No. 1 Hope and even led after one period, but the Flying Dutch righted themselves and took care of the Britons, 79-56. After a scoreless first quarter, All-American Kenedy Schoonveld scored 18 points in the final three periods. Hope (14-0, 6-0 MIAA) pushed its winning streak to 59 games, passing DePauw for the fourth longest streak in Division III women’s basketball history. Albion is a stretch where it will play No. 1 Hope or No. 7 Trine in four of its next six games. The Thunder rolled over St. Mary's (Ind.), 85-36, on Saturday.

No. 7 Whitman finished a successful weekend at home by beating NWC title contender Puget Sound, 63-51. The game turned midway through the third period with Puget Sound leading 38-32 when the Loggers lost leading scorer Sophie Nilsson to injury. Nilsson was hurt contesting a made layup by Whitman's Kaylie McCracken and did not return. McCracken completed the three-point play, keying a 13-4 run for the Blues. The Loggers had just two field goals the rest of the game and McCracken scored nine points from the foul line in the fourth quarter.

McCracken finished with 21 points for Whitman (12-1, 4-0 NWC) which will host Pacific on Tuesday. The Boxers are 11-3, 5-0 in conference.

Catholic locked down Drew late and dealt the Rangers their first lost of the season, 58-52. After Drew took a 52-49 lead with 3:30 to play, Catholic shut out the Rangers the rest of the way. Erin Doherty got Catholic even with a three-point play and the Cardinals gradually pulled away by converting their foul shots. Doherty finished with 21 points on 8 for 15 shooting for Catholic (11-1, 2-1 Landmark). Erin Frederick led Drew (10-1, 1-1 Landmark) with 17 points.

The other undefeated teams in action stayed unblemished with No. 4 Transylvania cruising past Anderson, No. 18 Springfield holding off Emerson and Roger Williams downing the University of New England.

No. 16 DePauw shook off a slow start and stopped Ohio Wesleyan, 59-46, to stay unbeaten in the NCAC. Mya Shannon scored 18 points for the Tigers (12-2, 5-0 NCAC) including a late-three that put the game out of reach.

Augsburg extended its winning streak to 10 games by edging St. Benedict, 64-63. Jen Masello's layup with 2:30 left put the Auggies (10-3, 10-0 MIAC) in front by one and Augsburg made enough free throws to hang on for the win. Masello had 17 points and seven rebounds for the Auggies.

Gettysburg put a little more distance between itself and its Centennial Conference pursuers with a 56-46 victory over Swarthmore. The Bullets (10-2, 8-0 Centennial) have wins over the teams sitting in second (Johns Hopkins), third (Washington College) and fourth (Swarthmore) in the standings.

Andrea Bertini won her 300th game as Westfield State topped Worcester State, 80-69, thanks a 51-6 advantage in scoring by reserves. Jordan Grant and Olivia Hadia combined for 40 points on 12 for 17 shooting for the Owls (7-7, 3-0 MASCAC). Elizabeth Gallella just missed a triple-double for the Lancers, posting 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine steals.

Cortland made the long, cold trip north to SUNY Potsdam and came away with a 64-55 victory, the ninth straight for the Red Dragons. Maggie Malone scored 19 points for Cortland (10-2, 6-0 SUNYAC) which outscored the the Bears 36-18 in the paint. 

Carroll tied its program record for points in a game as the Pioneers errupted for a 104-48 win over North Park. The Pioneers shot 52 percent from the field (44 for 84), outscored the Vikings 82-10 in the paint and had a 24-0 advantage on second chance points. Carroll (11-3, 3-3 CCIW) has won six straight. North Park (9-5, 2-4 CCIW) was missing much of its lineup due to COVID protocols.