Women's Basketball: Team wins finale but doesn't make NCAAs
by Quincy Auger
Staff Writer
Sports | 3/2/10
Posted online at 1:13 AM EST on 3/2/10
The Brandeis defense held the Violets to a 23.3 percent shooting percentage in the first half.
In the second half, the Judges led by as many as 35, but an unrelenting NYU squad chipped away at the lead by utilizing a full-court press and forcing Brandeis turnovers.
The Violets improved their shooting percentage drastically, making 36.8 percent of their shots in the second half.
Scott Foulis, Brandeis' assistant coach, remarked that the biggest challenge in a game with a large lead is staying disciplined. Still, he noted the impressive way the Judges managed to focus and overcome that difficulty.
"[The women] were ready to play," he said. "We played within ourselves and followed the game plan. We came in with a chip on our shoulder, which I think was a good thing.
Saturday afternoon was also Senior Day. Red Auerbach Arena was teeming with parents, alumni and fans.
Foulis commented on the electric atmosphere at the game.
"There were a lot of feelings for the game to send the senior class out with a win at home," he said. "It's really their year. It's a team effort, but everyone's trying to work so [the seniors'] careers end on a positive note."
Proving Foulis' statement true, Strodthoff sentimentally revealed that she will miss her senior teammates after they graduate in the spring.
"I love the seniors. … I'm really going to miss these guys."
With Chapin, Rashford, guard Carmela Breslin '10 and center Kasey Gieschen '10 playing their last contest, the Judges also battled for a spot in NCAA Tournament.
Although the team did not make the postseason, Breslin noted the factors that motivated the team in its victory over NYU.
"NYU is our most vicious rival in the UAA," Breslin asserted. "We want[ed] to go hard for the win against them.
Rashford commented on the team's season, saying that her teammates battled hard.
"It's been an up-and-down season, but this team has a lot of heart and we really showed it tonight," she reflected.
Foulis related the season to one of growth.
"In a sense, that's what every year is," he said. "This year we had some new people in new roles. We had to replace those seniors from last year and integrate a big freshman class."
In the second half, the Judges led by as many as 35, but an unrelenting NYU squad chipped away at the lead by utilizing a full-court press and forcing Brandeis turnovers.
The Violets improved their shooting percentage drastically, making 36.8 percent of their shots in the second half.
Scott Foulis, Brandeis' assistant coach, remarked that the biggest challenge in a game with a large lead is staying disciplined. Still, he noted the impressive way the Judges managed to focus and overcome that difficulty.
"[The women] were ready to play," he said. "We played within ourselves and followed the game plan. We came in with a chip on our shoulder, which I think was a good thing.
Saturday afternoon was also Senior Day. Red Auerbach Arena was teeming with parents, alumni and fans.
Foulis commented on the electric atmosphere at the game.
"There were a lot of feelings for the game to send the senior class out with a win at home," he said. "It's really their year. It's a team effort, but everyone's trying to work so [the seniors'] careers end on a positive note."
Proving Foulis' statement true, Strodthoff sentimentally revealed that she will miss her senior teammates after they graduate in the spring.
"I love the seniors. … I'm really going to miss these guys."
With Chapin, Rashford, guard Carmela Breslin '10 and center Kasey Gieschen '10 playing their last contest, the Judges also battled for a spot in NCAA Tournament.
Although the team did not make the postseason, Breslin noted the factors that motivated the team in its victory over NYU.
"NYU is our most vicious rival in the UAA," Breslin asserted. "We want[ed] to go hard for the win against them.
Rashford commented on the team's season, saying that her teammates battled hard.
"It's been an up-and-down season, but this team has a lot of heart and we really showed it tonight," she reflected.
Foulis related the season to one of growth.
"In a sense, that's what every year is," he said. "This year we had some new people in new roles. We had to replace those seniors from last year and integrate a big freshman class."
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