The Case Western Reserve University women’s basketball team snapped their six game losing streak with a win over Brandeis University 67-55. The Spartans fell to New York University (NYU) 83-72 before their triumph.

Against NYU, the Spartans took the lead early on in the first quarter. A jumper by third-year guard Kendall McConico extended the lead to 7-2. CWRU held a one possession lead throughout the quarter until NYU guard Lauren Koyama scored a layup to claim the lead. NYU forward Katie Foos scored two threes to increase the deficit for the Spartans. Despite a three pointer made by first-year guard Abbey Lawrence, the Spartans were unable to regain the lead they had early on and the quarter ended 24-17.

Foos started red hot, scoring 15 points in the quarter alone.

The second quarter consisted of both teams trading baskets, with both teams shooting 61 percent from the field. The Spartans nearly evened the score at 35 following free throws by second-year forward Emma Cain with just under three minutes remaining, but NYU responded with a three. In the second half, NYU kept shooting threes, but fourth-year Spartan Hillary Hellman responded with two of her own, cutting the lead to six at 60-54. The climax of the quarter was an NYU player making a half-court shot. The Spartans were unable to stop NYU’s consistent shooting.

The Violets maintained a double digit lead throughout the last quarter. NYU shot a ridiculous 57 percent from the field as a team.

“We played a mix up of man and zone, face guarded some players … Coach made a lot of good adjustments, but they still shot 48 percent from three,” said Hellmann.

Determined to end the dry spell, the Spartans clawed their way through a tough first quarter against Brandeis. Hellmann and graduate student forward Kara Hagemann opened the game with threes, but the Judges caught up 15-14 in the last two minutes of the first, before Cain made a buzzer beating jumper to tie the score.

Hellmann and Hageman continued to dominate, carrying the Spartans on a scoring run. Brandeis was unable to recover from the double-digit deficit. The Spartan’s defense held the Judges to a 29 percent field goal percentage.

Hellmann led the team with 20 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Hagemann recorded 17 points, 11 rebounds and four steals on 6-for-11 shooting.  

Hellmann said the team needs to continue to “focus on fighting for every possession, moving and passing the ball and being aggressive [on] offensive.”

The Spartans look to close out their season with a winning record at home, next competing against Emory University. CWRU hopes to break Emory’s six game win streak on Feb. 15 at 6 p.m.