The Observer, February 15, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 17
Spartans split Northeast trip against NYU and Brandeis
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During the first weekend of February, the Case women's basketball team defeated New York University and lost a close one to Brandeis University. And when the ladies traveled to the same two universities last weekend, they got the same results. The Spartans defeated the ladies from NYU in New York, but were unable to carry that momentum over with a loss to Brandeis University in Massachusetts on Sunday.
Prior to this season, the Spartans (11-9, 4-5 UAA) had recorded only one victory against a highly regarded NYU team in the past 21 seasons. On Feb. 3, the Spartans handily defeated the Violets, ranked 21st in the nation at the time, at home 70-58. Over the weekend, this time in New York, the Spartans proved their worth in the University Athletic Association by again beating the NYU squad, and in the same fashion that led to last week's victory-strong defense and hot shooting. Behind solid performances by many of the women, Case Western upended NYU on Friday night, 73-63.
Sophomore guard Ashleigh Tondo led the Spartans with 19 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds-very close to a triple-double. Her efforts helped the team start the game in strong fashion. Junior forward Colleen Martin put the Spartans ahead 16-10 on a jumper from a pass by Tondo 10 minutes into the first half. However, the Violets pushed out to a 19-16 lead by riding a 9-0 run with a pair of contested baskets. NYU was actually able to hold onto the lead by knocking down three consecutive three-pointers in the last three minutes to take a 34-29 lead into the intermission. In fact, the Violets shot an incredible 67 percent from behind the arc in the first half.
In the second half, NYU controlled the first five minutes and jumped out to a 13-point lead, up 48-35. The Spartans didn't give up. Sophomore guard Kristyn Atkins capped off a 14-4 run with 10 minutes left by knocking down two free throws that brought Case within three, 52-49. After three ties and a couple lead changes, the Spartans went up 68-63 with 1:22 left in the game on a Tondo jumper. That would be enough for the Spartans to seal the win.
Senior players Mary Herendeen and Ashley Horton added 15 and 14 points, respectively, and the Spartans quadruples their number of UAA victories from 2006-2007. Two days later, the women traveled to Boston to rematch Brandeis after last weekend's tough loss in overtime.
Tondo tied for a game-high 20 points, but the Spartans lost to Brandeis, 72-63, in another UAA game in Waltham, Mass. Horton tied the game at five apiece with a three-pointer less than three minutes into the game. A 16-5 run that followed gave Brandeis a 21-10 lead with a layup in the first half. Freshman forward Austin Howell ended the first half scoring on a jumper with 1:43 left to bring the Spartans within six, 29-23, at halftime. Junior forward Colleen Martin brought Case within two, 34-32, with a three-pointer at 15:41, but that was as close as it would get. Brandeis went on a 9-0 run, taking a 43-32 lead. The game was out of hand from then on.
The Spartans never really got their shots, and were out-rebounded 42-34 in the game. It was a tough night as the Spartans shot 37 percent from the field. They look to rebound from this performance as they wear Mather College uniforms Friday night against Washington University at 6 p.m., as part of Throwback Weekend at Case.
