Junior transfer Courtney Thrun ’21 did not see much playing time in her two years at Adelphi University, playing a total of just 12 games. In her first season with the Judges, Thrun has played in all 14 games and been a tremendous asset for the Judges off the bench. The forward set grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds in a 60-50 win over Rochester on Friday, and knocked down two three-pointers in the 75-67 loss to Emory on Sunday. With the win and the loss, the Judges’ record is 11-3 and 1-2 in the University Athletic Association (UAA).
The Judges beat Rochester 60-50. Junior guard Kat Puda ’21 had eight points in the fourth quarter, including going 4-of-4 from the free throw line as the Judges outscored the Yellowjackets 21-9 in the period. Puda led the Judges with 12 points in 21 minutes off the bench. Known for her three-point shooting, Puda showed off her ball handling, driving and scoring two lay-ups.
Trailing by two heading into the fourth quarter, the Judges took their first lead of the second half 43-42 on a lay-up from junior forward Jillian Petrie ’21 with 8:25 remaining in the game. After a bucket by the Yellowjackets, freshman sharpshooter Francesca Marchese ’23 hit a three-pointer with 7:00 left to give the Judges a 46-44 lead, which they would not relinquish. The Judges closed the game on a 14-6 run and made all ten of their foul shots in the fourth quarter.
Despite shooting just 31 percent for the game, the Judges held Rochester to 18-of-69 shooting and 5-for-29 on threes. The Judges controlled the inside, out-rebounding Rochester 48-40 and outscoring the Yellowjackets 24-12 in the paint. The Judges went 23-of-27 from the foul line and lead the UAA in free throw percentage at 78 percent.
Junior Samira Abdelreheim ’21 had 10 points to go along with six rebounds off the bench. She also led the Judges with two key blocks. Rubenstein had nine points, eight of which came in the first quarter, and tied a game high with two three-pointers.
The Judges lost a close game to Emory, 75-67. Leading 50-47 heading into the fourth quarter, the Eagles outscored the Judges 28-17 in the fourth quarter. The Judges shot 4-of-15 in the period and missed all six of their three-pointers. The Judges were held without a field goal for the first 5:41 of the quarter before Abdelreheim got a lay-up with 4:19 left in the contest.
After shooting 30 percent from the field in the first half, the Eagles knocked down 47 percent of their shots in the second half, while the Judges shot 29 percent. The Eagles stifled the Judges in the fourth quarter, forcing six turnovers.
Senior forward Hannah Nicholson ’20 paced the Judges with 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Nicholson, who leads the UAA in rebounding and field goal percentage, now has six double-doubles this season. Freshman forward Emma Reavis ’23 scored 12 points and led the game with six assists.
The Judges have been one of the best three point shooting teams in the nation this season. Entering conference play against New York University (NYU) on Jan. 11, they made at least five threes in every game. However, in the past three games, the Judges have been held to three or fewer threes and are 8-for-41 in that span.
As for Thrun, she is averaging 6.6 points and over five rebounds per game this season and is one of several key contributors on the Judges’ revamped bench. In the win against Rochester, six of her ten rebounds were on the offensive end. “She brings that energy to the team that we need,” senior guard Lauren Rubenstein ’20 said.
The Judges will travel to the Midwest this week, facing Washington University in St. Louis on Friday, Jan. 24 and then 16th ranked University of Chicago, on Sunday, Jan. 26.
Editor’s Note: Francesca Marchese and Courtney Thrun are staff members of The Hoot. Sports Editor Sophie Trachtenberg is also a member of the women’s basketball team.
