Women's Basketball Picks up their Second Win of the Season, Taking Down Lesley University 76-67
The Bulldogs battled in the second quarter to take an early lead and kept it throughout the rest of the game. Jordan Ellis tied the program record for consecutive games with a double double, bringing her total to six. Ellis ties Makayla Rudder from the 2019-2020 season and has the chance to take the record on Saturday against MCLA.
Lesley University took an early 6-0 lead just two minutes into the first quarter with three different scorers getting on the stat sheet. Seniors Ellis and Kendrah Doane got on the board first for the Bulldogs.
The Lynx ballooned their lead to 15-5 and forced Head Coach Megan Dixon to take a timeout with five minutes left in the first quarter. Lesley's speed from point guard Siena Hoban and three-point shooting pushed them ahead of the Bulldogs who got off to a slow start.
Back-to-back buckets from Maren Johnson and Hoban gave the Lynx a 20-9 lead. First year Savannah McCarthy cut into the lead with a deep three pointer and fellow first year Bailey Ferguson hit a buzzer beater three to end the first quarter 20-15.
On the season, McCarthy is shooting 83% from three as a forward, being able to score efficiently from all three levels.
In the second quarter, Dean started to get back into rhythm starting with another three ball from McCarthy. After a back and forth start to the quarter, the Bulldogs tied the game for the first time at 30 points with an Ellis three pointer, who started to catch fire.
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After the game Ellis said, "I think it will be important to get everyone involved, there might be games where I can score, but there might be some where I have to find different ways to contribute."
After that bucket, Ellis completed an and one attempt after a foul from Alawnah Dunda. Alyssa Reyes got in on the scoring for Dean and brought their lead up to five points. Hoban tied it back up at 35 right before the half after creating contact from Dakotah Cly. Reyes finished out the half with Dean on top 37-35 after a layup.
Both teams fought out of the halftime break to keep the score close. Once again, the seniors pulled ahead for the Bulldogs behind two free throws from Doane and another three from Ellis who was now up to 16 points.
Shooting beyond the arc proved to be a huge advantage for the Bulldogs down the stretch as they outscored the Lynx 44% to 21% from three in the entire game. Dean kept a steady lead throughout the third and ended the quarter with a 54-47 lead.
The Bulldogs kept pushing in the fourth with their foot on the gas pedal. Their lead got as high as 10 and only as low as four. The Lynx were in foul trouble throughout the second half with Hoban, Dunda, and Danielle Salazar all having four personals and Avery Layne ultimately fouling out. Layne finished the game with 15 points and an impressive 19 rebounds. The Lynx missed her paint presence and scoring in the last minutes of the game.
Ellis picked up her tenth rebound at the 8 minutes and 45 second mark, tying the program record for most consecutive double doubles in Dean women's basketball history.
Ellis commented, "It feels really good to have that record under my belt, I can't take all the credit for myself. I have to thank my coaches and my teammates as well."
Despite the lead for Dean, the Lynx did not give up behind efforts from Hoban, who led the team with 19 points and seven assists; both facilitating and getting to the basket herself.
After Dunda cut the lead to four points, the Bulldogs took a timeout and adjusted their defensive pressure. Cly, McCarthy, Ellis, and Doane all combined to put away the game and win it for the Bulldogs.
Dean improves to 2-1 as Lesley falls to 0-2. The Bulldogs will be back in action on Saturday travelling to MCLA for a noon tipoff.
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