Garnet Down Fords Again
Swarthmore put four players in double figures, defeating long-time rival Haverford College 68-49 for the fourteenth consecutive time.
Ali Wolff '05 scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds while Laura Popovics '08 chipped in a dozen points of her own to go along with three assists. Karen Berk '08 just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, while guard Debra Farrelly '06 scored 10 points and added two assists.
The Garnet took control of an ugly first half as Farrelly sank two long three-pointers. Swarthmore's trademark defense held the Fords to 13.6% shooting from the floor and forced 15 turnovers as the Garnet enjoyed a 27-9 halftime lead.
Swarthmore opened the lead to as much as twenty-nine points, following an Ashley Brandt '07 reverse lay-up with 11:08 left in the game.
Haverford climbed back to within fourteen, 56-42, following two free throws from Katie Crowley with 1:32 remaining. The Fords were forced to foul and Popovics shot a perfect six for six to send Swarthmore (10-6, 7-4 CC) to their fifth consecutive win.
Erica Juliano led Haverford (3-13, 0-10 CC) with 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench, while Crowley finished with 14 points.
The Garnet continue to move up in the Centennial Conference standings, passing Gettysburg for fourth place following a Bullets loss at Dickinson.
Swarthmore travels next to Bryn Mawr on Saturday, January 29th for a 2:00 p.m. game.