Home  Basketball (W) Women's Basketball - Top-Seeded Babson Knocks Out Bears
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Women's Basketball - Top-Seeded Babson Knocks Out Bears |
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 Melissa Martinelli had a double-double in the final game of her outstanding career.
The Beavers, who matched the longest win streak in program history with their 15th consecutive victory, improved to 23-3 and will move on to host both the semifinals and finals this weekend. Babson will play fourth-seeded Wheaton in the first semifinal matchup on Saturday at 1 p.m., while sixth-seeded Wellesley will face either second-seeded WPI or seventh-seeded Mount Holyoke in the second semifinal at 3 p.m. The two winners will then meet in the Championship Game on Sunday at 1 p.m.
With Wednesday’s loss, Coast Guard finishes its season with a record of 7-18.
Babson was led by junior tri-captain Becky Bowman, who shot 8-for-9 from the floor for a game-high 16 points. Sophomore Kathleen King added 14 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in just 23 minutes of work, while sophomore Michelle Kenel chipped in with 11 points, four boards, and three steals. Sophomore Nicki Wurdeman finished with nine points, three blocks, and three steals in just 10 minutes of action, and freshman Sarah Collins added eight points, six rebounds, and three steals.
Overshadowed by her team’s lop-sided loss was the final collegiate game for Coast Guard senior captain Melissa Martinelli. The 2007 NEWMAC Rookie of the Year and two-time First Team All-Conference honoree capped off her amazing four-year career with yet another double-double, as she tallied 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. As a result, the star forward will graduate with 1,853 points and 906 rebounds in her career – both of which are all-time Coast Guard records.
The Beavers dominated the game from start to finish, opening with a 17-2 run over the first 6:19 that featured five points apiece from Wurdeman and Kenel. Martinelli kept the Bears within striking distance over the next couple minutes, twice hitting lay-ups to get her team back to within 10. However, Babson was just too powerful, as the hosts recorded three separate 8-0 runs over the remainder of the half to take a 47-13 lead into the break. The Beavers then opened the second stanza with 14 straight points as they ran away with the resounding 75-26 victory.
For the game, Babson shot 46.5 percent (33-71) from the floor while holding the Bears to a 20.4 percent (11-54) clip. Meanwhile, the Beavers forced 28 turnovers while committing just 13 of their own, resulting in an overwhelming 38-4 advantage in points off turnovers.
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