WALTHAM, Mass. – Two nationally-ranked women's basketball teams will meet tomorrow in the title game of the Brandeis University Tip-Off Tournament, as the host Judges (No. 8 d3hoops.com, No 12 ESPN/WBCA) and the Bates College Bobcats (No. 17 d3hoops.com, No. 10 ESPN/WBCA) easily handled their opening-round opponents. Brandeis defeated Salve Regina, 69-53, while Bates down Mount Holyoke, 79-65.

Brandeis never trailed in the opener of the doubleheader, going on a 19-4 run midway through the first half to break open an early 8-8 tie. Six different Brandeis players contributed to the key run, opening with a put-back by junior center Caitlin Malcolm (Windsor Locks, Conn.) and ending with a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws by rookie Lauren Goyette (Dartmouth, Mass.). Brandeis led by 17 points at the break and were ahead by as much as 22 before the final 16-point margin.

The Judges put three players in double figures, paced by senior co-captain Christine Clancy (Yarmouth, Maine) with 14 and four boards. Sophomore Jaime Capra (Old Bridge, N.J.) added 13 points, while Malcolm finished with 12 and a game-high six rebounds, three on the offensive glass. Senior guard Amanda DeMartino (Toms River, N.J.) dished out a game-high seven assists.

Salve Regina guard Katie Horan (Webster, Mass.) led all scorers with 18 points on eight-of-15 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers, but no other Seahawk player had more than eight points. Sophomore forward Megan Barry (Plainville, Mass.) topped SRU with five rebounds. Brandeis owned a 41-28 advantage on the boards and an 18-5 margin from the free throw line.