With 14 games played, the Case Western Reserve University women’s basketball team holds a 1-2 conference record and a 6-8 overall record. Their recent stretch includes a victory over No. 13-ranked Washington University in St. Louis, along with losses to Marietta College and the University of Chicago.
The Spartans began their three-game week with a matchup against the Marietta Pioneers. Originally scheduled for Dec. 4 during non-conference play, the game had been postponed due to the Spartans’ travel delays, leading to a packed schedule of three games in just seven days.
The game between the Spartans and the Pioneers was tightly contested, featuring 18 lead changes and 14 ties over 45 minutes of play. With six seconds left, the Pioneers held a 2-point lead, prompting the Spartans to call their final timeout to strategize. As the clock ticked down, second-year guard Mya Hartjes sank a shot from about 15 feet, tying the game with just 0.4 seconds remaining in regulation. The teams entered overtime, where Marietta gained an early advantage. Despite their efforts, the Spartans ultimately fell short, losing 67-73. Notable performances came from Hartjes and third-year guard and forward Emily Plachta, who led the Spartans in scoring for the game.
After the loss to Marietta, the Spartans looked ahead, focusing their energy on their two conference away games against WashU and UChicago.
On Jan. 17, the Spartans took on the No. 13-ranked Bears in their second UAA conference matchup. Plachta delivered another standout performance, leading the team with 13.1 points per game this season. She matched her career-high with 5 3-pointers on 12 attempts, making 8 of 16 shots overall, and she scored 12 of her career-best 22 points in the fourth quarter to help secure the win.
The Spartans entered halftime with a solid 33-21 lead, but the Bears roared back with a 12-0 run, cutting the deficit to just 4 points. Key baskets by fourth-year forward Evie Miller and second-year guard Jordyn Call helped the Spartans close the third period ahead 44-36.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Bears narrowed the gap to 3 points, but the Spartans held their ground. Plachta drained her third 3-pointer of the period, and clutch free throws by Plachta, third-year guard Maya Roberts and Hartjes sealed the upset victory, 64-57.
The Spartans concluded their weekend with a matchup against the University of Chicago on Sunday. For the sixth time in the last seven games, Plachta led the Spartans in scoring, finishing with 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting. She also paced the team with 7 rebounds and 2 steals.
The game was tightly contested until the eight-minute mark of the third quarter, when the Maroons went on an 8-0 run to seize the lead permanently. The Spartans ultimately fell 51-64, marking their eighth loss of the season and their second defeat in UAA play.
The Spartans will next host Brandeis University on Jan. 24 and New York University on Jan. 26.