The team came out strong in the opening game of the Amherst Classic Tournament, thrashing Emerson College, 71-36. The Jeffs kept control of the game, consistently outshooting Emerson and maintaining possession of the ball. The Lions allowed the Jeffs 13 steals as part of the visitor's 26 total turnovers. Amherst capitalized on their opponent's mistakes by shooting 52 percent from the field. Guards Jenny Muller '07 and Shaina Pollack '08 were Amherst's top scorers, with 11 and 10 points, respectively. "We took advantage of mismatches inside," said Pollack. "Our guards were able to drive and kick out for open shots."
The Jeffs' superior rebounding abilities (Amherst won the battle of the glass 37-24) also facilitated the victory. Co-captain forward Katie Latham '06 led the Jeffs with eight boards, while rookie forward Yasmine Harik '09 followed with six rebounds. Every player on Amherst's roster saw playing time as the team proved that its effectiveness was unaffected by a varying lineup.
The Emerson game was the lone win for the Jeffs last week, but the team displayed heart and determination in two narrow losses against Norwich University and Mt. Holyoke College.
The 48-44 loss against Norwich was a suspenseful heartbreaker, and the reasons for the Jeffs' loss may haunt them in this week's upcoming games. Despite a 25-25 tie at the end of the first half, Amherst's tentative offense and unsteady defense eventually gave Norwich the lead.
Latham led the Jeffs once again with seven rebounds and notched a team-high 10 points, while fellow senior co-captain Krissy Morin added nine points and an almost-perfect free throw percentage. The sophomore class played an integral role in the game, as guard Stephanie Reiff contributed nine points and Pollack notched eight points and three steals. Harik and senior forward Julie Smith were similarly impressive on the boards with five rebounds apiece.
Amherst's final contest of the week against Mt. Holyoke seemed reminiscent of the Norwich match-up. With 15 lead changes during the game, it was difficult for either team to gain momentum, and the Jeffs came within one point in the final six minutes. "We were able to compete with the size of Norwich and the athleticism of [Mt. Holyoke] but we didn't execute down the stretch when we needed to," said Morin. Despite out-shooting the Lyons 43.8 percent to 34.6 percent, the Jeffs suffered their second loss of the season, 62-55.
The Jeffs battled throughout the game, but a total of 18 turnovers and a lack of three-point field goals hurt their chances of earning the win. Pollack and Morin led the offense, with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Pollack also added a team-high three steals. Muller, Reiff and Latham scored a combined total of 24 points, while Muller and Reiff shot perfectly from the free throw line and Latham led both teams with nine rebounds. Senior guard Ali Flato '06 made an impressive dent in the Mt. Holyoke game, notching six points, a pair of rebounds and a steal.
Despite suffering two losses, the Jeffs made a strong showing in their first three outings. The entire squad gained game-time experience and learned valuable lessons from the contests. Latham earned all-tournament honors in the Amherst Classic with her cumulative 18 points and 15 rebounds.
This week, the Jeffs again face slew of non-conference opponents, starting with Keene State College at home today at 7 p.m.
NESCAC Notes
Conference match-ups haven't begun in the NESCAC, but anticipation is building. Bates College defeated Amherst's recent foe Mt. Holyoke, 79-65. This non-conference overlap shows that the Jeffs will have tough competition when they face the Bobcats in February. The Polar Bears of Bowdoin College are ranked third in the nation in a preseason poll and currently boast a 3-0 record. Middlebury College also claims a 3-0 mark and the NESCAC Player of the Week, Katie Fisher. Williams College suffered a loss in its first game, but is currently on a three game winning streak.