Swarthmore OutDuels Bantams
The Garnet scored 37 second-half points to come from behind and beat the Trinity College ( Ct.) Bantams 68-64 in the consolation game of the 8 th annual Swarthmore Tip Off Tournament. Senior forward Radiance Walters led the Garnet (1-1) with 17 points while All-Tournament selection Karen Berk chipped in 12 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
Swarthmore played catch up for the first half of the game, trailing Trinity 37-31 at the break. The Garnet fought their way back and tied the game up with 16 minutes remaining the game. Walters stole the ball from Trinity's Sarah Cox, and then assisted classmate Debbie Farrelly on a jump shot, tying the game 42-42. The Bantams called a time out to gain their composure, but Garnet senior Jen Stevenson came out of the Swarthmore huddle and hit a jump shot in the lane, giving the Garnet their first lead of the night 44-42.
The teams seesawed back and forth for the final 10 minutes of the game, trading the lead nine times and tying the score twice. With 12:12 remaining in the game, All-Tournament selection Cox tied the game at 48 and forced Swarthmore to use a time out. The game remained tied for two minutes until Garnet forward Jessica Fuhr '07 sank a free throw with 10 minutes remaining, putting Swarthmore ahead 49-48. The Bantams clawed their way back, taking a 52-49 lead after Cox hit two free throws.
Swarthmore sophomore guard Laura Popovics came up big with a trifecta at 7:50, and Walters went two-for-two at the line to give the Garnet a one-point cushion, 53-32.
With four minutes remaining, Cox gave Swarthmore a scare, hitting a three pointer and edging the Bantams ahead, 57-55. But Stevenson responded with a steal and bucket to tie the game. Trinity called a timeout and rallied ahead, but consecutive three-pointers by freshman Melissa Grigsby and Farrelly gave Swat a 63-61 lead with 0:40 left. The final seconds of the contest belonged to Swarthmore as Farrelly and Walters closed the game by five of six free throws.
Swarthmore improved upon its field goal percentage, shooting 41% from the floor and 45% from beyond the arc. Walters grabbed eight rebounds for the Garnet, and shot 11-14 from the line. Farrelly added 13 points and three assists in 33 minutes.
Cox finished the game with 22 points and 13 boards while teammate Mary Lennick added 16 points and a tournament-high eight assists. The Bantams fall to 0-2 on the season.
The Garnet will host conference opponent Ursinus on Tuesday, November 22 at 6:00 p.m. in Tarble Pavilion in the Centennial opener for both squads. The women are the first half of a doubleheader on Tuesday evening, followed by the men's contest against Drew University at 8:00 p.m.