Bates Bests Basketball in Opening Round of Brandeis Tip-Off Tournament, 74-51

Game Statistics???

WALTHAM, Mass. (Nov. 20, 2009) – Led by senior forward Lauren Yanofsky, the Bates College women’s basketball team downed Mount Holyoke College 74-51 in the opening round of the Brandeis University Tip-Off Tournament this evening at the Red Auerbach Arena.

With the win, the Bobcats (1-0, 0-0 NESCAC) secured a spot in the tournament’s championship. They will face off against the host Judges tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. The Lyons (1-1, 0-0 NEWMAC) will meet up with the Wentworth Institute of Technology tomorrow at noon. Brandeis advanced by way of a victory over the Leopards.

Yanofsky finished with a game best 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor. She drained a pair of three pointers, collected eight rebounds and dished out three assists. Bates also received a boost from senior guard Kellie Goodridge, who posted a double-double on ten points and 11 boards. Junior center Christine McCall added 11 points off the bench. The Bobcats drained 42.0% (29-69) of their shots from the floor and 83.3% (10-12) of their free throw attempts. They finished with a 41-30 rebounding edge.

Three players reached double digits in the scoring column for Mount Holyoke, which converted just 34.6% (18-52) of its field goal attempts. The Lyons were paced by senior guard Erin Cain, who amassed a team high 13 points. First year guard Angelica Pascual recorded 11 points, five rebounds and four assists. Meanwhile, sophomore forward Tricia Chase came off the bench to score ten points on 4-of-7 shooting.

Bates jumped out to a 21-10 advantage midway through the opening frame and led 31-19 at the break. The continued to stretch their cushion in the second half, leading by as many as 27 points (61-34) at the 8:55 mark. Yanofsky ripped off 14 of her 18 points before the intermission, while McCall had nine in the second stanza.