Berk Leads Garnet to Victory
SWARTHMORE, Pa. -- Garnet sophmore center Karen Berk scored seven of her game-high 25 points in the final 90 seconds of play to lead the Swarthmore to a 74-67 win over Franklin and Marshall. Berk earned her fourth double-double of the season with 14 boards, while senior Cara Tigue had 11 points and six rebounds in the Centennial win. With the victory, Swarthmore improves to 3-5 in the conference and 6-7 in overall play, ending a three-game skid vs. the Diplomats.
The Garnet jumped out to a 6-0 lead over the visiting Diplomats with two buckets from Berk and two free throws from junior Jessica Fuhr. The Dips got on the board at 18:02 with a layup from Sarah Meisenberg, but Garnet point guard Debbie Farrelly (nine points, three steals) responded on the other end with a jumper to keep the lead at six. Swarthmore extended their advantage, 18-9 with a trey from Laura Popovics '08 at 13:11.
Franklin and Marshall fought back and took the lead late in the first half. Diplomats' forward Emily Weaver rebounded a Swarthmore missed jumper and sophomore forward Brittany Braxton converted on the other end to put F&M ahead, 21-20. Swarthmore re-gained control of the game with a layup from Popovics and held onto a five-point lead heading into halftime.
Garnet defense stifled the Diplomats' offensive charge, as the Dips made only eight of 33 shot attempts (24.2%). Swarthmore was also able to keep F&M's top scorer, Dana Johns, quiet from the floor. Her four first-half points all came from the free throw line.
For Swarthmore, Berk closed the half with 14 points (6-of-9 from the floor) and 11 rebounds.
The Garnet maintained the lead through the first ten minutes of the second half but the Dips went on a 15-0 run late in the game to scare Swarthmore.
The Garnet held a 55-43 advantage with ten minutes remaining. F&M's Weaver hit a jumper to but the lead to 10, and after a Swarthmore miss on the other end, Johns converted from behind the arc, forcing Swarthmore to call a timeout.
After the break, Johns returned to the floor and hit another 3-pointer and teammate Amanda Miceli connected on a three-point play to move the Dips within one. Swarthmore went cold on offense and Miceli made another layup to put F&M ahead, 56-55 with 6:40 left to play.
The Dips got one more deuce from Braxton before Tigue converted a layup at 5:39 and ended the Garnet scoring drought. Tigue found the basket again with 4:43 left and put the Garnet within one point of the Dips. 59-60.
Franklin and Marshall remained ahead until 1:42, when Berk shook off her defender to sink a layup and tie the game, 63-63. Swarthmore defense held F&M scoreless as Berk took over the inside post and pushed the Garnet ahead 68-63 with 0:48 left to play.
Franklin and Marshall came down the floor, but Johns was unable to hit from downtown. Fuhr grabbed the defensive rebound and was fouled by swarming Dip players. With 39 seconds left, Fuhr extended the Garnet lead to seven with two free throws in the bonus play.
Swarthmore senior Jen Stevenson sank two foul shots with half a minute remaining to give the Garnet a 72-64. In a final offensive attempt, F&M shooter Meisenberg hit a trifeca to put F&M within five, 72 -67. Tigue sealed the game for Swarthmore with a layup with 12 seconds left to play.
For the Garnet, Fuhr finished the game with five steals and a perfect six-for-six performance from the free throw line. Stevenson added 12 points for Swarthmore.
Johns closed the evening with 16 points and four steals for Franklin and Marshall. Braxton added a double-double with 11 points and team-high 11 rebounds.
Swarthmore travels to rival Haverford College on Wednesday, January 18 to take on the Fords in Hood Trophy and Centennial Conference action. The women tipoff at 6:00 p.m. and will be followed by the men at 8:00 p.m.