The women’s basketball team had yet another conference sweep this weekend, defeating both Emory University and Case Western Reserve University at home. UR improved its record to 19-1 overall, 8-1 in the University Athletic Association.
This wasn’t the only accomplishment to celebrate this weekend. One player entered UR’s record books senior forward Julie Marriott reached the 1,000-point mark in Friday’s win over Emory and advanced on Sunday to sixth place in career scoring at UR.
‘I thought it was really exceptional after all the hard work she’s put in these past years for her to reach such a milestone,” head coach Jim Scheible said. ‘It’s a great achievement.”
In Friday’s game, a late run was key in UR’s victory. The first half was a hard-fought battle for control of the game. The Eagles started out with a quick 6-0 run. After not scoring in the first four minutes of play, UR answered with seven points in a one-minute span.
With 5:55 remaining in the half, UR pulled ahead by six the largest lead of the game. But Emory rallied and went on a 17-6 run to finish the half, leading 37-32.
UR continued to chip away at the lead in the second half and finally reclaimed it when Marriott kicked the ball out to sophomore guard Melissa Alwardt, who hit a 3-pointer to tie the game, 50-50.
For most of the half, the lead changed back and forth between the two teams.
With 2:26 remaining, UR took the game for good, thanks to a layup from Marriott a basket that pushed her over the 1,000 point mark. She was fouled on the play and made the subsequent free throw, giving UR a three-point lead. The ‘Jackets then made six of their last eight free throws to seal the deal.
Porter had another outstanding game, tallying a double-double with 17 points and 16 rebounds. She is now second in career rebounds and steals.
Alwardt added 14 points to the win. Sophomore guard Ariel Evans also had a strong showing, tallying 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Yellowjackets.
Marriott scored 13 points, bringing her career total to 1,003 points. She also grabbed seven boards.
Freshman center Jodie Luther had a solid performance she scored eight points and pulled down seven rebounds.
Sunday’s game was played at a drastically different pace.
UR started out on a 17-2 run and never looked back.
The ‘Jackets’ strong defense did not allow Case Western to score in double figures until 6:34 was left in the half. By halftime, UR led 41-19.
The ‘Jackets opened the second half on a 21-4 run. Marriott tallied six points in a little over two minutes to kick off the half. Then came a string of 3-pointers one from junior guard Jessica Mastronardi and two more from Alwardt.
The Yellowjackets were paced by Alwardt, who tallied 17 points and five 3-pointers in just 16 minutes.
Marriott had another solid night with 12 points and eight rebounds. Mastronardi scored 11 points, and Porter led the team on the boards, notching a game high of 11 rebounds.
‘It was a good team effort overall on both offense and defense,” Alwardt said. ‘We made a goal at halftime to hold them to less than 45 points and we did it.”
Next weekend, the Yellowjackets host New York University and Brandeis University for their second-to-last conference weekend.
As the regular season comes to a close, the team acknowledges how important each of the final games will be.
‘These last five games are going to be intense,” Marriott said. ‘One of our goals is to win the league, and we know that we can’t let up at this point.”
Hilliard is a member of the class of 2010.
