Scarlett Kirk
Women's Basketball Falls To Amherst - Will Host NESCAC Quarters
February 13, 2013
Sixth-ranked Amherst earned 27 second chance points on its way to a 65-45 win at Middlebury (13-11, 4-6) in the regular season finale for both teams. The Panthers have earned the fourth seed for the upcoming NESCAC Tournament and will host fifth-seeded Bates at 4:00 on Saturday in a quarterfinal contest. Amherst earns the second spot and will host seventh-seeded Trinity on Saturday.
Amherst came out strong defensively, smothering Middlebury as they moved out to a 15-2 lead through the game’s first 11:15 of play. The Panthers’ first field goal of the game came on a three from the top of the key by Rachel Crews, as Middlebury went on a run with five straight made field goals. Crews netted 10 points during the 16-9 run, leaving the Jeffs with a 23-18 lead with 4:30 remaining in the first half. Amherst increased its lead to nine before a late three by Laura Lowry cut the lead to 27-21 at the intermission.
Middlebury cut the lead to five on a three from Lowry 1:16 into the second half before Marcia Voiht answered with a three-ball of her own for Amherst. The Panthers later came within three when Tracy Borsinger knocked down a three-pointer at the 16:24 mark to make it a 32-29 game.
Leading by three, Amherst went on a 17-2 run over a 6:49 span to take a 57-39 lead with 5:11 remaining. Jasmine Hardy netted seven points during the run with six from Megan Robertson. The Panthers came within 14 at the 2:53 mark, but the Jeffs closed the game on an 8-2 run to come away with the win.
Middlebury shot 47.6% from the floor in the second half to get back into the game as Scarlett Kirk ended 6-8 with 14 points. Lowry and Crews each netted 10, while Jesse Miller had nine boards.
Robertson scored a game-high 18 for Amherst with nine rebounds, while Hardy had 11 with 12 boards and four steals. Voigt ended with nine points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals.
