The Brandeis women’s basketball team split the UAA weekend with a 61-55 loss Friday to the Washington University Bears and a 63-53 win over the University of Chicago Maroons on Sunday. One of the major highlights of the weekend had to be guard Lauren Rashford’s ’10 career-high 18 points scored in Sunday’s game.
While Chicago got an early 5-2 lead with the help of their rookie guard Bryanne Halfhill, Brandeis came back strong by scoring the next nine points and gaining a lead they would not give up for the rest of the game.
By the end of the first half the Judges had a solid 36-19 lead. After the break Chicago regrouped and came out strong, managing a 16-3 streak. With 12:24 left in the game Brandeis’ lead had been cut to just 39-35, largely a result of the Judges missing seven of their first eight shots, as well as allowing seven turnovers. Amanda Wells ’09 helped Brandeis rally back with two free throws and a jumper from the foul line. While Wells and Rashford helped lift the Judges back to a 13 point lead of 48-35, Chicago made another run for the lead, getting in 6 points before Brandeis was able to respond with another 3-point shot by Rashford to get the lead back to 8.
The Judges were able to hold on for a 63-53 win in the end, but they allowed 14 turnovers in the second half that translated to 20 points for Chicago.
Their powerful offense was able to counter these defensive mishaps, especially with the Judges going 13-17 on the line as well as 11 of Rashford’s 18 points coming in the second half.
Despite a strong start in Friday’s game against Washington University, Brandeis couldn’t pull out the win. In the first 10 minutes of the game Brandeis forced six turnovers by the Bears and maintained the lead until, with roughly 6 minutes remaining in the game, Wash. U. began turning things around. By the end of the first half they had claimed the lead from the Judges.
Brandeis came out determined in the second half, trying to play tighter defence and having a few good scoring runs, including scoring 12 out of 15 points in response to the Bears’ 8 point lead with 16:45 left. With less than 10 minutes remaining in the game the Judges reclaimed the lead 41-40, but Wash. U. responded with a number of steals that turned into baskets.
The last 7 minutes of the game saw both teams struggling for the win, but despite closing the gap to within four and a beautiful 3-pointer by guard Lauren Rashford with 2 seconds left, Brandeis was not able to push through.
Although the Judges didn’t come out with a win in Friday’s game they did have the two high scorers: guard Jessica Chapin ’10 and forward Lauren Orlando ’09. Chapin had 9 points in each half as well as 9 total rebounds while Orlando went 9-for-9 from the line and was responsible for adding 13 points.
Next weekend Brandeis will face both teams again, this time on the road. Friday the Judges will play in Chicago followed by a game in St. Louis against Wash. U. on Sunday. After this weekend Brandeis is 13-4, 3-4 in the UAA.
