WBB: NESCAC

[jumpshot]

Despite having a huge size advantage, the ljs are unable to make adjustments to limit Salisbury's #10 who goes for about 30 points. Salisbury well-coached and handle final few minutes of the game to earn the win.

[magicman]

Bowdoin just minutes away from the start of the game against Montclair State. Good luck to the Polar Bears. Hope to see them playing again tomorrow.

[D3MAFAN]

Despite having a huge size advantage, the ljs are unable to make adjustments to limit Salisbury's #10 who goes for about 30 points. Salisbury well-coached and handle final few minutes of the game to earn the win.

Watch the game against Bridgewater State, #10 is definitely a great player. The team is well coach as you aforementioned and plays lights out in the second half.

[magicman]

Bowdoin Women lose to Montclair State by a 61-54 final score. Polar Bears gave it a good shot coming from a 15 point deficit to close to within 4 points but couldn't come up with some key stops when they needed to. Excellent year for the Polar bears. I think they will be back in the NCAA tournament again next year.

[7express]

Tufts beats Eastern Connecticut 45-31.  Here's my sentence from the LEC board: "Not gonna win many games scoring 31 points overall, but this was a really ugly game as the score at halftime was 20-11.  Cant imagine you win many games scoring 45 points, Tufts will need to play a lot better vs. Florham tomorrow to advance to Grand Rapids."

NESCAC teams had a tough day at the office @ Montclair.  Can't imagine the conference is lining up to play there again anytime soon.

[Maine 1]

Very impressed with Salisbury--they definitely beat Amherst. Amherst had chances, but Salisbury was able to close out games.  Number 10 was very good, as we I believe number 15.  Bowdoin just dug too big a hole.  They played well in the second half, but could never make the big shot to get to within 2 or less.  Tough night for the NESCAC.

[nescacbbrules]

I suppose it's true that you can't expect to win many games scoring 45 points....unless, of course, you're the kind of team that blocks 12 shots while holding your opponent to 31 points on 17% shooting. Then you can expect to win lots of games. Tufts plays games that often are not hailed as beautiful, impressionistic art, but if you have a taste for gritty, in-your-face, grinding defense, then they play "ugly" masterpieces. FDU understands the difference. Last year their high scoring offense managed 42 points in their national semifinal win, a number very close to the average of Tufts' opposition and six fewer than FDU scored in the first half tonight against Geneseo.

[polbear73]

It's ironic to note that Bowdoin, a great foul shooting team all year, basically lost this game at the line, 17-9 as field goals were dead even (as was shooting percentage) and the Polar Bears scored one more 3. Going 9 for 17 from the line , along with digging a 15 point hole at the half was way too much to overcome against a very good team.

[just a fan 22]

I suppose it's true that you can't expect to win many games scoring 45 points....unless, of course, you're the kind of team that blocks 12 shots while holding your opponent to 31 points on 17% shooting. Then you can expect to win lots of games. Tufts plays games that often are not hailed as beautiful, impressionistic art, but if you have a taste for gritty, in-your-face, grinding defense, then they play "ugly" masterpieces. FDU understands the difference. Last year their high scoring offense managed 42 points in their national semifinal win, a number very close to the average of Tufts' opposition and six fewer than FDU scored in the first half tonight against Geneseo.

45 would have been more than enough to win last year's Tufts-FDU final four game. I do expect Tufts to need a few more than that today, but if they score 55, I think they'll win. Either way, it will be a great game.

[amh63]

Congrats to Salisbury State.  Will be hoping they continue their fine play tonight.
Been thinking a bit about the game a bit.  First the local guards on the Gulls were too tough for Amherst to contain.  The smallest player on the floor was also to fast and quick for the Amherst guards.
I break the game into four parts.  In the first part, Salisbury goes ahead by 19.  the 2nd half of the first half, Amherst led by Megan Robertson's play steadily pulls even and goes ahead by 8 at the half...in spite of 13 points by no. 10 of Salisbury.  For about the first 5 minutes of the second half, both teams trade baskets and the 8 point Amherst lead holds.  Then, as the game goes back and forth, Amherst outside game falters a bit.  salisbury's experienced guards takes over the offense.
Though Amherst had their chances to tie the game in the last minute....I believe several factors became clear too me between the two teams.  Upperclass experience and leadership took over for Salisbury.  The ball was in the hands of no.10...to score, and control the clock in the last minute.  Amherst does not have a go to player...to take charge.  In the last minute plus, no one wanted to take the shot or figure how to get the ball to Robertson down low.  Jackie Renner who had missed a number of games was worn out...her last foul shot did not even reach the basket. 
The better team won the game...better leadership and one heck of a player....the player of the year in their conference.
Megan and Ali...Amherst's all conference players played well and hard.  Megan had 16 points, 14 rbs and 5 blocks to close out her career.  The PG play of Amherst could not match Salisbury's PG...in experience, talent, speed/ quickness. 
Expect Amherst to figure out the backcourt issues next year and hopefully figure out a replacement in part for Megan Robertson up front.

[nescacbbrules]

Huge congrats to the Tufts women on achieving their second consecutive Final Four, beating the defending national champions from FDU. Both teams defend hard, but FDU shot 50% in the first half and only carried a 2- point lead. Tufts' guards defended the one-on-one dribble drives very well throughout the second half and the forwards gave great help. Tufts had 14 assists to just 3 for the Devils for the entire game. FDU fought very hard, but Tufts' guards, especially Lauren Dillon, made the clutch shots. Well done and good luck in Michigan!

[just a fan 22]

Thoroughly deserved win from Tufts tonight. They hung tough in the first half and the relentless defensive pressure began to wear on FDUs short rotation of four guards in the second half. The tandem of Morehead, Dillion, and Roberson played very well on both ends of the court, and Kanner and North were solid as well. Neither team got much of anything from its bench, but with the increased number of timeouts and the stakes, teams operate with shortened rotations anyway.

[polbear73]

Impressive win by Montclair State over Salisbury to move to Final 4. They again jumped out to a big lead and kept their foot on the accelerator this time; Salisbury was never in the game. Montclair is very well balanced with quick, good shooting guards and tough play inside. Certainly a force in the Final 4.

[amh63]

Congrats to Tufts for a heck of a win!  Yes, the Tufts' guards played big....the senior and the FY.

Did not get to see any of the Montclair State win over Salisbury.  Looked over the stats briefly.
Seems that Montclair...who had played Salisbury earlier in the year....a win...stopped the fine guard that " buried" Amherst....scored 29 points.  Monclair's top player Tobie?...the elder one...seemed to play up to her All American status. 

[bowdoin74]

Congratulations to Tufts! 

They are making this deep run without Hannah Foley on the court and yesterday Josie Lee had 4 fouls and sat on the bench for a long time.  Pretty amazing the way the Tufts players step up when needed for each other.