Against WPI, junior guard Shannon Russell led the Amherst attack with 21 points, while freshman Katie Latham recorded her second consecutive double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Senior tri-captain guard Sara Bozorg also broke into double digits in points with 11 and dished out five assists. Facing their first away game of the season, the Jeffs came out focused and took a 25-23 lead into halftime. The Engineers kept the game very tight, however, and at the end of regulation, the score was tied at 56. In overtime, the Jeffs went on a 14-5 run to claim the victory.
Amherst did not have much trouble beating Mt. Holyoke when the Jeffs hosted the Lyons on Nov. 26th. The victory came with a price, however, as senior tri-captain Sara Walker sustained a nose injury in the first half. The injury will force her to miss the team's next five games. Although the team will miss her leadership, they believe they will be able to fill the void. "Freshmen will have to step up to cover for Sara's absence," said senior tri-captain Brooke Diamond.
Latham did not have much trouble adapting to the quicker and more physical college game, rising to Diamond's challenge while recording a double-double with 19 points on 9-10 shooting and 11 boards. Forward Marissa McGuire '04 also contributed a double-double, while Russell chipped in 16 points, nine of which came from beyond the arc. The team attributes their offensive success to solid rebounding and teamwork. "We worked really well together," said Latham. "We were able to distribute the ball evenly and everyone on the floor was able to contribute."
Despite the Jeffs' success in their first two games, there is certainly room for improvement. "Our poise and character allowed us to be effective offensively, but we lapsed on defense," Coach Billy McBride said. "Part of it was first-game jitters, but we can't afford to make those mistakes on the road."
The Jeffs will face off against more non-league opponents in the coming week. They travel to Keene State University today before participating in the Pioneer Valley Tournament over the weekend in which they will face WNEC and Westfield State University. Amherst returns home to play the Coast Guard Academy on Dec. 9, which is their last game of the month. The Jeffs will seek to improve as a team before they begin NESCAC competition in 2003.