Women's hoops avenges NCAA loss with 86-62 win at Emmanuel

BOSTON, Mass. (taken from an Emmanuel College press release) – The Brandeis University women's basketball team (3-2) avenged their NCAA tournament loss from a year ago as the Judges knocked off the host Emmanuel College Saints, 86-62, Tuesday night.

The Saints (2-2) jumped out to an early lead and held on until midway through the first half. The Judges took their first lead with 11 minutes to play in the opening stanza and never looked back. Brandeis took a 46-31 advantage into halftime.

The Saints came out strong in the second half and cut the visitors’ lead to 10 points with 16 minutes to play. Brandeis then used the next 6 minutes to go on a 17-0 run and the Judges jumped out to a 67-40 lead. Brandeis’ largest lead of the game came with 5:48 to play, when the Judges led by 29 points.

Junior center Lauren Orlando (Peabody, Mass.) led the Judges with a game-high 27 points on nine-for 16 shooting. Orlando also pulled down nine rebounds and blocked four shots in just 23 minutes of play. Senior guard Jaime Capra (Old Bridge, N.J.) notched a double-double for Brandeis with 15 points and a team-high 14 rebounds, tying a career-high, while also dishing out five assists. Sophomore guard Jessica Chapin (Mendon, N.Y.) chipped in with 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the effort.

Emmanuel’s defense forced 21 Brandeis turnovers, but the Saints could not capitalize. Emmanuel committed 27 team fouls and sent the Judges to the line 40 times. As a team, the Saints also struggled in their free throw efforts, shooting just 51.7% (15-29) for the game.

The Saints had three players scoring in double figures. Sophomore guard Iman Davis (Toms River, N.J.) led the way with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Senior guard Leah Lipschitz (Bayside, N.Y.) pumped in a season high 17 points, including hitting 9 of 11 free throw attempts. Senior guard Jade Paez (Bronx, N.Y.) added 14 points for the host Saints.