On most weekends, the vast majority of students gets to kick back, relax and enjoy their free time. That was not an option provided for the Judges’ Jaime Capra ’08, whose individual heroics on the floor helped Brandeis get past Emory 70-66 on Super Bowl Sunday. On Friday, the Judges kicked off the trip with a 67-65 victory over Case-Western in overtime.
The match with Emory was a tight affair, with both sides seeing their leads expand and contract. The Judges got hot first, building up a nine point lead with 13:30 in the first half after Carmela Breslin ’10 three pointer. Momentum, though, swung to the Eagles who went on an 18-8 run to claim a one point lead. The Judges quickly regained the score and left the first half leading 35-33.
Lauren Orlando ’09 kicked off the second half for the Judges with eight straight points, then deferred to Capra who carried the offense with nine straight points of her own, helping Brandeis to an 11 point lead. The Eagles, however, refused to make this contest easy, going on a 15-4 run, capped by a Kristen Brown three that gave the Eagles a 64-61 lead.
Capra, however, put Brandeis on top for good by making two free throws; she was fouled during the second attempt, and proceeded to make two more. Just like that, it was over. Brandeis never looked back and departed Atlanta with their second straight road victory.
In all, Capra had 25 points and nine rebounds and was 12 of 13 from the free throw line. Lauren Orlando chipped in 13 points while Cassidy Dadaos ’09 had 12 points and five rebounds.
Emory had four players reaching double figures in scoring. Whitney Martin came off the bench with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Kate Corkle led the starters with 13 points and seven boards of her own. Lora Turner and LeShonia Lillard had 12 and 11 points respectively.
Both teams were even statistically, Emory outshooting Brandeis 43% – 38% from the floor, but the key difference came at the charity stripe, where the Judges converted 12 of 13 attempts in the second half alone. Brandeis shot 85% from the line overall, while the Eagles only made 64%.
The win came after a close shave in Ohio. With the Case-Western Spartans leading throughout the game, the Judges put together a furious rally in the second half, topped off by Lauren Orlando’s lay-up with 58 seconds left in the game which sent it to overtime knotted up at 58 apiece. In the five minute extra session, the Spartans jumped to a four point lead 65-61. Capra’s three pointer with 55 seconds left tied the game at 65 when, following a Case-Western turnover, Amanda Wells’ ’09 jumper gave Brandeis the sweet taste of a hard fought victory.
Three Judges reached double figures in scoring, with Capra leading with 19 points and six rebounds. Orlando put in 16 of her own before fouling out while Dadaos achieved a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Case-Western was led by forward Ashley Horton who had a double-double of her own with 17 points, 14 rebounds. Mary Herendeen had 13 points as did Caitlin Henry off the bench and Ashleigh Tondo gave the Spartans 12 points and eight rebounds.
With four straight victories, Brandeis will look to extend their streak at home as they take on Emory and Case-Western again. The Eagles will be the first visitors, tipping off tonight at 6 p.m. and then the Spartans will look for revenge Sunday at 2 p.m.
