WALTHAM, Mass. -- The Brandeis University women's basketball team defeated visiting Widener University, 67-48, in the first round of the Brandeis Tip-Off Tournament this evening. The Judges will meet Bowdoin College, who rolled past Western Connecticut State University, 75-44, tomorrow at 3 p.m. for the tournament title.
Brandeis (2-0) used an 18-6 edge in points in the paint and 12-3 advantage in second-chance points to earn the 19-point victory. The Judges also shot well from 3-point range, connecting on 7-of-12 (58.3%), while holding the Pride to 7-of-26 (26.9%).
Senior forward Lauren Orlando (Peabody, Mass.) led the scoring attack for Brandeis with 15 points and seven rebounds, while junior guard Jessica Chapin (Mendon, N.Y.) added 13 points and a game-high eight rebounds, one shy of her career high. Junior Lauren Rashford (Whitesboro, N.Y.) had a fine all-around performance with seven points, a career-best seven rebounds and game-high four assists.
Widener (1-1) got a game-high 16 points off the bench from senior guard Barbara Fleming (Philadelphia, Pa.), who connected on 4-of-6 3-pointers. Junior G/F Rayne Reber (Pottstown, Pa.) added 10 points on 4-of-9 from the floor with a trifecta, but no other Pride player had more than seven points. Junior forward Becky Tyler (Wynnewood, Pa.) led the visitors with six rebounds, while classmate Lindsey Isler (New Hope, Pa.) had three assists.
The second game was highlighted by Bowdoin (1-0) senior Jill Anelauskas (Medfield, Mass.), who scored 18 points to become the 11th 1,000-point scorer in Polar Bear history. She hit the milestone at the 15:21 mark of the second half after scoring 14 points in the first. Bowdoin led, 46-19, and never looked back. Sophomore Katie Bergeron (Bradley, Maine) added 13 points, all coming in the Polar Bears' big first half. Junior forward Leah Rubega (Norwich, Conn.) led all players with 11 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass. Bowdoin owned a 41-21 advantage on the glass and 22-4 on the offensive end, pulling down more offensive rebounds than WCSU had on either end. Senior Maria Noucas (Portsmouth, N.H.) had a nice all-aroubnd game with six assists, five points, four steals and four rebounds.
Western Connecticut State (1-1) put just one player in double figures, as junior Katie Moffo (Southington, Conn.) came off the bench to supply 11 points. She hit 2-of-4 from the field, including both 3-pointers, and 5-of-7 from the line. Colonial sophomore center Melissa Teel (Hamden, Conn.) led the team with five rebounds, while Moffo and sophomore Karli Spera (Waterford, Conn.) each had two assists. The Colonials and the Pride will meet in the consolation game tomorrow at 1 p.m.