The team keeps its accomplishment in perspective. “I think getting as far as we did was a great accomplishment for our team, but how we grew together and learned and eventually how we were able to bring our game to such an elite level has really made us proud,” said sophomore forward Jaci Daigneault.
The Final Four contest began in true March Madness fashion, with the two teams trading points and neither squad able to gain the edge. The Jeffs managed a seven-point lead with about 12 minutes left in the half after sophomore guard Courtney Long notched a three-pointer to put the Jeffs up 14-7. The Bears came roaring back and took a five-point lead into the half. Both teams struggled with turnovers in the first frame, with Amherst committing 10 and Wash. U. committing nine. And while Amherst made five three-pointers with none from its opponents, the Bears out-rebounded the Jeffs by eight, a phenomenon that the Jeffs had not seen before.
The Bears began the second half on a high note, running up a 14-point lead in the first four minutes. Though the Jeffs whittled the deficit down to seven points, Wash U. was the better team that night and the match ended in a 65-49 loss for Amherst.
“We definitely didn’t play our best basketball against Wash U.,” said Daigneault of the loss. “We struggled to get the ball into our post players — getting a post touch usually sets up our whole offense. We had open looks at the basket and we just didn’t knock the shots down. I do have to give Wash U. credit: They took us out of our game, they took away our strengths and we never got it going offensively. We fell short of our goal, but we worked hard all season and we are so proud to be one of the best four teams in the country.”
Finishing the season with an overall record of 29-4, the 2008-09 Jeffs put together the best season in program history. Daigneault, who averaged 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, was the first Amherst player to be named to the D3hoops All-Region First Team and was also named to the Division III All-America Team. Rookie Shannon Finucane, who earned the position of starting point guard about halfway through the season, added an average of 8.7 points and 3.6 assists per game for the Jeffs.
Amherst’s entire starting lineup will return next season, and they will all be hungry for another try at the national championship. Despite the number of returning players, four Lord Jeffs will graduate this year. Amherst will miss tenacious defenders Yasmine Harik and Susannah Ludwig and quick guards Amanda Otieno and Stacey Brossy.
Noted Daigneault of the season, “The more games we played, the more we learned and got better. Our senior leadership this year was also outstanding and we wouldn’t have made it as far as we did without their dedication and commitment to the team. They pushed us to be our best and want the best, and that helped us mature as well.”