For the first time in school history, the women's basketball team will be participating in the NCAA Division III tournament when they take on Salem State College today at 5 p.m.
The first and second round games are set to take place at Bowdoin University in Brunswick, Maine. If the Judges win their game against the Salem State Vikings, they will play the winner of the Colby-Sawyer vs. Bowdoin game tomorrow night.
The Judges received this coveted invitation by finishing 19-4 overall, with a 10-4 mark in the University of Athletic Association (UAA) conference. They are recipients of an at large pool C berth and are one of four UAA teams to make the national tournament. The others are NYU, Rochester and Washington University. The only other conference with as many entrees is the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).
After failing to enter the tournament for the past two seasons, the Judges are excited to have a chance to finally compete at a national level. In those seasons the Judges were victors of the regional ECAC tournament, while compiling an impressive 45-9 record.
Success starts at the top for the Judges, who are coached by 18-year veteran Carol Simon and the knowledgable Anthony Ewing. The tournament invitation is just one testament to the dedication that Simon and Ewing have put into improving the program and recruiting system over their tenure at Brandeis.
The talented Lady Judges are led by forward Caitlin Malcolm 07, who is second in the UAA with 17 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
Guard Jamie Capra 08 follows her at 12.1 points per game, good for sixth place in the UAA scoring ranks. Center Christine Clancy 06 averages 11 points and 5.5 rebounds to complement a potent frontcourt along with Malcolm.
The tournament invite is particularly sweet for co-captain Amanda DeMartino 06. DeMartino has been running the point for four years now, and this winter she became Brandeis' all-time assist leader surpassing Pam Vaughan '90.
Brandeis' first round foe, Salem State College, the winner of the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC), is no stranger to the NCAA tournament, making its 23rd straight appearance, the highest in Division III history. The Salem State Vikings come in red hot with a 23-4 record, having won 8 of their past 9 games. The Vikings are paced by the MASCAC's leading scorer, star center Estrella Kuilan (18.2 ppg).
Both the site and opponents for next weekends Sweet 16 and Elite 8 rounds will be determined pending the results from this weekend.
Editors note: If you are thinking of taking the two and a half hour trip up to Brunswick, Maine to cheer on the Judges, tickets are 6 dollars for adults and 3 dollars for children. Information courtesy of Adam Levin was used in this report.
