Athenas’ overtime victory puts dent in Bowdoin’s undefeated record

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The holiday break was just what the doctor prescribed as the well-rested Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's basketball team (5-5) made a statement with its 70-62 overtime victory over the then-undefeated Bowdoin College (8-1). Senior Kris Brackmann (CMC) had her best game of the season, going off for 26 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, and a block. The senior forward did not miss a single free throw, going 10-for-10 from the line. Junior Corinne Bogle (CMC) provided a scoring punch off the bench with 10 points while freshman Maya Love (CMC) hustled for nine points and five rebounds. Kate Kerrigan gave the Athenas some trouble, scoring 17 points and grabbing nine rebounds, while Taylor Choate scored 13 points off the bench.  

The Polar Bears got off to a hot start, going on a 13-4 run. The Athenas struggled on the offensive end and were held to single digits, as Bowdoin led 17-9 in the first quarter. The second quarter was a back-and-forth affair as the Athenas answered each Bowdoin basket to kept the deficit within single digits.

Trailing 28-19 at the half, the Athenas embarked on a comeback. The Brackmann led CMS on a 7-3 run in the third quarter, scoring a layup and a three-pointer in successive possessions. She followed up with a steal and went on fast break, but got fouled on the layup attempt. She made both her free throws to cut the deficit to five. With 30 seconds left in the game, Brackmann missed a layup, but senior Claire Donnelly (CMC) was there to grab the offensive board. Donnelly grabbed the rebound, but missed her put back attempt. Fortunately, Brackmann fought through for the ball and was fouled in her layup attempt, making both free throws at the line to cut the Polar Bears' lead to 40-37.

Bowdoin managed to extend its lead to six points during the final quarter after Marle Curle hit a free throw with 2:32 left, but CMS was relentless. Love, who provided a physical presence in the paint all game, bullied her way up for a layup to spark a run. Brackmann followed up by stealing the ball and making a layup in transition. After the Athenas' defense forced the Polar Bears into a shot clock violation, Brackmann got fouled in the following possession and made her two free throws to tie the game at 56 apiece. With a minute left in regulation, neither side was able to convert a basket, sending the game to overtime.

CMS dominated in the opening minutes of overtime with a 11-0 run, taking advantage of a fatigued Bowdoin defense by attacking the paint. Donnelly showed soft touch around the rim, making a hook shot in the paint and getting fouled for the and-one. Donnelly made the extra basket and sophomore Kiki Yang (CMC) scored a layup with less than three minutes to give CMS a 61-56 lead. Brackmann and Yang tried to attack inside in the ensuing possessions and were sent to the line to pad the Athenas' lead, combining for six free throws to push the lead to 67-56 with less than a minute left and ending Bowdoin's hope of making a comeback.

The Athenas will play again on New Years Eve, as they travel to Whittier on Saturday, Dec. 31 in hopes of earning their second win in conference play. The opening tip is slated for 5 p.m.

Box Score

By Young Kim
Sports Information Assistant

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