Saturday women: True Blues

More news about: Connecticut College | Hamilton | Tufts | UW-Eau Claire | Whitman
Jan 22, 2022
Things are looking up for Sydney Abbott and Whitman after the Blues won four games in five days.
Whitman athletics file photo
 

The Whitman Blues completed an impressive five-day run and the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds won their Top 25 rematch against UW-Whitewater, while Saturday was a red-letter day for blue-clad teams in the NESCAC.

No. 8 Whitman defeated Lewis and Clark 69-46, completing a stretch in which the Blues beat half of their conference foes in five days. The Blues put Saturday’s game away early, building a 40-19 lead at the half and then going deep into their bench in the second half. All-American Kaylie McCracken posted a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) in 25 minutes and fellow forward Korin Baker scored 14 more in 21 minutes.

Saturday’s win was Whitman’s second in about 24 hours, following the Blues’ come-from-behind win over rival George Fox on Friday night. Whitman opened the week with back-to-back wins at home over Pacific and Linfield on Tuesday and Wednesday, and now sits atop the NWC with a record of 16-1, 8-1 in conference.

Three weeks after losing to No. 6 UW-Whitewater on the road, No. 18 UW-Eau Claire beat the Warhawks, 81-71, in their rematch. The teams traded leads into the final minutes of the fourth quarter until Blugolds went in front for good on Kylie Mogen’s three-pointer. After Jessie Ruden followed with a jumper that pushed Eau Claire’s lead to 72-68, Yssa Santa Domingo hit a three for UW-Whitewater, pulling the Warhawks within 72-71. That would be the Warhawks’ last points and Ruden scored six more in the final minute to close the game.

Aleah Grundahl scored 25 points in 27 minutes before fouling out for UW-Whitewater (16-2, 7-1 WIAC). Ruden poured in 29 points for the Blugolds (14-4, 5-2 WIAC) who shot 49 percent from the field and hit 18 of 22 free throws.

Speaking of blue and gold, it was a good afternoon for the Buff and Blue of Hamilton because the Continentals stunned No. 7 Amherst, 52-43, in LeFrak Gymnasium. Kelcie Zarle filled the stat sheet with 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals for Hamilton (8-7, 1-3 NESCAC). Amherst (10-2, 2-2 NESCAC) shot just 32 percent from the field.

After missing two games, Maggie Russell returned for No. 10 Tufts and scored 23 points with  16 rebounds in the Jumbos’ 63-52 win over Bates. The Bobcats hung tough into the fourth quarter until Russell’s three-point play put Tufts up 61-48 with under four to play.

Even blue-clad Connecticut College had fun, as the Camels knocked off Trinity (Conn.), 53-51. The Camels’ first conference win of the season and third overall creates a log jam at the top of the NESCAC with the top five teams within one game of each other.

Seven undefeated women’s teams remain, though one was pushed to the brink on Saturday afternoon.

No. 3 Transylvania erased a late five-point deficit to force overtime at Rose-Hulman and then the Pioneers pulled out the victory, 72-69. Rowan Hein’s jumper gave Rose-Hulman a 64-59 lead with 3:17 to play but Transylvania shut the Fightin’ Engineers out the rest of the period and pulled even on Kennedi Stacy’s three with 1:26 left. In overtime, Laken Ball scored eight points for the Pioneers, including two 3-pointers to open the extra period. Madison Kellione had 28 points in 43 minutes for Transylvania (14-0, 6-0 HCAC), which is at least three games up in the loss column on the rest of the HCAC.

No. 2 Christopher Newport looked like it would have a more comfortable victory after keeping Salisbury to 22 first-half points. But the Sea Gulls rallied within four in the fourth quarter before the Captains sealed a 63-57 win. Anaya Simmons had a double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds for Christopher Newport (16-0) which has won 33 straight games.

The other four undefeated teams in action won easily. No. 15 Springfield demolished Wellesley, No. 21 Wisconsin Lutheran took care of Concordia-Chicago, Roger Williams cruised past Wentworth and Webster pounded Principia.

Carroll stayed hot and extended its winning streak to seven with a convincing 70-48 win over Illinois Wesleyan. The Pioneers (12-3, 4-3 CCIW) outscored the Titans 28-8 in the second period and shot 45 percent in the game (29 for 64). The win is Carroll’s first over Illinois Wesleyan (10-7, 7-1 CCIW) since 2007.

Scranton used a big fourth quarter to close out Elizabethtown, 75-70, and the Lady Royals won their ninth straight. Scranton (15-2, 6-0) outscored the Blue Jays 23-11 in the final quarter and got 21 points apiece from Bridget Monaghan and Abby Anderson.

Augsburg extended its lead in the MIAC standings with a win and some help on Saturday afternoon. Augsburg got help when Bethel upended Gustavus Adolphus, 53-47, as the Gusties went 1 for 16 from behind the arc. Then the Auggies helped themselves by beating Hamline, 80-70. Jaley Coplin scored 20 points for Augsburg (12-3, 12-0 MIAC) which has won 12 straight.

Kean pulled itself into a first-place tie atop the NJAC by beating Rowan, 68-64, in another big game for Shannon McCoy. She tallied 25 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Cougars (10-6, 9-2 NJAC). The teams split their two regular season meetings.

Washington and Jefferson tightened its grip on first place in the PAC with a 65-49 win over Westminster (Pa.). First year swing player Meghan Dryburgh led the Presidents (11-3, 8-0 PAC) in points (17), rebounds (11) and assists (five).