Unfortunately, it was the Jeffs who saw their season come to a close on Saturday. Amherst fell to the Bobcats 63-53, but the Jeffs left Maine with something to be proud of. The 2006-07 Jeffs made up a very young team with a relative lack of experience, but the players were able to overcome such obstacles to play some great games and display their true talent. Although the tournament loss meant the end of the road for the Jeffs' lone senior, tri-captain guard Jenny Muller left an indelible mark on the Amherst College women's basketball program.
Since Muller was the only senior, she was faced with extra pressure and responsibility. However, with the help of a strong supporting junior class, Muller stepped up to the challenge. Muller guided by example-her aggressive and passionate presence on the court inspired teammates to follow her lead and consistently work hard.
Along with her crucial leadership, Muller added impressive numbers to the record books. She concluded her career with a total of 95 steals and 144 assists. Muller averaged 31 minutes of court time and 9.3 points per game, a true testament to her significant impact on the program.
In Muller's final game, the Jeffs and the Bobcats exchanged points throughout the first half, and the fans were kept on the edges of their seats with a total of eight lead changes. Three-pointers were crucial for both teams in the first half, as both teams saw 50 percent success outside the arc-the Jeffs however, converted six attempts while the Bobcats sank only five. The first half ended with the Bobcats up by just two points, 34-32.
Bates entered the second half with a revitalized offense. Meanwhile, Amherst was unsuccessful on seven consecutive attempts, crippling their effort for a comeback and allowing the Bobcats to stretch their lead to 50-34. Amherst may have given Bates a chance to pull away, but the Jeffs just as quickly recovered with streak of seven uninterrupted points. However, the Bobcats never let up their grasp on the lead, and while three pointers were equally crucial for both teams in the first half, they really made the difference for Bates in the second.
The Bobcats' defense forced the Jeffs to take significantly fewer shots in the second half, and success on the shots they did attempt remained in the upper 30th percentile. Bates' field goal percentages also went down, but the Bobcats still took more shots and dropped by a narrower margin than the Jeffs.
The Jeffs' free throw shooting suffered as well, but sophomore guard Sarah Johnston was solely responsible for all of their success at the line. Johnston, who totaled seven points in the contest, was one of the many players who came off the bench to provide essential support for the starting five. In the end, nine players on the Jeffs' roster contributed on the court, each teammate adding important rebounds, assists and points. Junior tri-captain Stefanie Reiff, who recorded eight points and seven rebounds against Bates, truly appreciated the remarkable support from her teammates. Reflecting upon the season, Reiff commented, "The bench supported the team throughout the entire season and really kept us going. Every one of them has tremendous heart and playing with that kind of energy behind you is always a great experience."
Rookie forward Sam Swensen '10 and sophomore guard Kerry O'Loughlin '09 combined for 12 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Anne-Claire Roesch '08 played an all-around game notching five rebounds, eight points, and two steals. Tri-captain guard Shaina Pollack '08 and sophomore forward Yasmine Harik had team-high performances for the Jeffs, notching 12 points and four assists, respectively.
The Jeffs relied on Muller's knowledge and leadership throughout this season, but the senior will be leaving behind a team now filled with invaluable chemistry and plenty of experience on the court together. While Muller will surely be missed, the Jeffs have the advantage of adjusting to only one significant loss whereas other teams may have their hands full. Amherst can look forward to a promising and exciting 2007-08 campaign from a determined bunch of seasoned athletes.
NESCAC Notes
Bowdoin College, Williams College and Tufts University will join Bates in the semifinal round of the NESCAC Tournament.