Since our last publication, the Women’s Basketball Team has gone on to play in six University Athletic Association (UAA) conference games, four of which were on the road. As the UAA season is half home and half away, with each team facing each other twice, the Judges faced the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Spartans, the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Tartans, the Washington University of St. Louis (WashU) Bears and the University of Chicago (UChicago) Maroons in a series of four away games, and then they returned home to switch back and play all seven teams once more but in the opposite location. Once home from their streak of away games, the Judges finished off the games that this article will cover at home. First, they hosted the WashU Bears on Pride Night at Brandeis, and then they hosted the UChicago Maroons to round out their most recent weekend of play.
In the Judges’ game against the CWRU Spartans, they opened and closed the game strong as far as point-scoring, but seemed to have a sluggish middle two quarters. The deciding plays of the game took place in the final quarter when the Judges did not allow the Spartans to make a single field goal during the final seven and a half minutes of the game. This allowed the Judges to pull away and win 72-60 over the Spartans. This was the Women’s Basketball Team’s first UAA win on the road since their 2021-22 season, illuminating the strength their current team possesses. Lulu Ohm ’25 had her eighth 20-point performance of the season, as she continued on as the leading scorer in the UAA conference.
Two days later, the Judges were in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to face the #24-ranked CMU Tartans. The Judges came out timid, but really let their prowess on the court shine in the fourth quarter of the game once again. Seemingly silenced by the opposing Tartans, the Judges concluded the third quarter trailing by 27 points. However, a shift in their energy and aggression must have flipped, because they went on to score nearly triple the points they scored during the third in the fourth quarter of the game. By doing so, the Judges out-scored the Tartans 33-13 in the fourth quarter and cut their deficit from 27 to 7 points. This brought the Judges just eight points shy of the win, 67-74 . Despite their loss, the Judges showed their stamina and grit once more as they performed at their best during the fourth quarter. The Judges made up for their point deficit in the little things as well, having out-scored the hosts 25-13 in points off of turnovers. If anyone has read the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, you would know that the biggest improvements in life come from the smallest habits. By focusing on the little areas for improvement, the Judges showed how capable they are of making leaps and bounds in their league standing. If you have not read that book, you should, but that’s all on books for now.
The following weekend, the Judges were on the road again. First up for play that weekend were the #24-ranked WashU Bears. The Judges had a nice second quarter after being held to 10 points in the first, but they seemed to lose their momentum over the halftime break as the Bears went on to hold the Judges to just nine points in the fourth quarter. The game concluded with the Judges losing 50-74 in an upsetting showing from the Judges. Though this outcome may seem dismal on paper, keep reading to find out how the Judges responded when they faced the Bears again, one week later.
Two days after their loss to WashU, the Judges traveled to Chicago to face the UChicago Maroons. This game was especially exciting as it went to overtime and the Judges prevailed while doing so. The game started off slowly as the Judges were out-scored 17-7 in the first six minutes of the game; however, they crawled their way back into contention through a 12-2 run to open the second half. The game was subsequently even after the Judges came within a couple possessions of the lead, and then held it until the final two minutes of the game. Both teams had the opportunity to take the lead, but both missed shots, leaving the game tied at the conclusion of regulation time. During the overtime period, graduate transfer student from Division I Binghamton, Elena Delicado (GRAD) made the only two baskets as her season debut for the Judges, earning them their first win over Chicago since 2013, and their first win in Chicago since 2007. This was an exciting win for the Judges to say the least as the game concluded in a final/overtime score of 72-66.
Like I previously noted, the Judges came into their second game against WashU with a vengeance. This time, the Judges were not going to lose. The game was fast-paced and evenly scored throughout with 16 lead changes and six ties throughout. However, the Judges broke away with the lead in the fourth quarter and did not look back. They won against the Bears in a dominant 11-point advantage of 68-57. This was the perfect way for the Judges to celebrate Pride Night, put on by the Brandeis Athlete Ally Chapter. Additionally, the women’s win over the Bears completed an evening of Judge superiority as they swept the Bears, winning both of their games.
In the Judge’s most recent game, they hosted the UChicago Maroons for their second meeting of the season. Unfortunately, the Judges got a taste of their own medicine towards the tail end of this competition as the Maroons pulled away with the least in the final quarter, beating the Judges 69-55. Despite this, the Judges were within two points of the Maroons with less than five minutes remaining. This shows how quickly the game can change if you let up. After the Judges’ big win against the Maroons just two weeks earlier, they ended the season even with the Maroons, 1-1.
Up next for the Judges is another road-trip. This time they will be traveling to Rochester, NY to play against the University of Rochester Yellowjackets, and then they will hit the road again to go to Atlanta, GA to face the Emory University Eagles, where the Swim & Dive team is currently competing. Keep up with your Judges by visiting the Judges’ Athletics site for the live stream, or the women’s basketball social media accounts! Go Judges!
