NEW LONDON, N.H. – January 8, 2009 – The Colby-Sawyer women's basketball team snapped its four-game losing streak with a 59-53 come from behind victory over Middlebury, on Thursday evening. Senior Ellen Naughton (Reading, Mass.) had a game-high 18 points en route to the Chargers victory. Colby-Sawyer improves to 6-5, while the Panthers dip below .500 with a 5-6 record.
After an early 6-1 lead for the Chargers, Middlebury opened a 26-18 advantage with five minutes to play in the first half. Colby-Sawyer went on an 8-0 run to tie the game at 26-26, after a three by Naughton and five straight points from junior Amy Hebert (Keene, N.H.). The Panthers answered with a 9-0 run to close the half behind five straight points from senior Emily Johnson (Lower Gwynedd, Pa.). Johnson had 12 points in the first half to lead all scorers. Middlebury shot an efficient 46.7% from the floor and held the Chargers to a 28.6 shooting percentage. The Panthers held a big 22-16 edge on the boards as they took a nine point lead into the half.
Both teams traded a basket in the first two minutes of the second frame, but the Chargers exploded for 13 points in the next six minutes to take a 41-37 lead. Colby-Sawyer buckled down defensively in the second stanza, holding the Panthers to nine points in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Johnson, who led Middlebury in scoring in the first half, was shut down scoring the ball but tallied seven rebounds and five assists. The Chargers held the rest of the Panthers to just 18.2% shooting in the final 20 minutes and closed the rebounding gap to 43-42.
Naughton poured in 11 of her game-high 18 points in the second half including some clutch free throws down the stretch. Junior Terri Duffy (Marshfield, Mass.) had nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Senior Emma Pasquale (Eliot, Maine) also played well for the Chargers, recording eight points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.
For the Panthers, sophomore Allison Needham (Lexington, Mass.) brought down a team-high 10 boards. Sophomore Lauren Sanchez (Seattle, Wash.) made 5-6 free throws and finished with seven points and five rebounds.
The Chargers begin TCCC play on Saturday, January 10 with a home game against Regis at 3:00 p.m. Middlebury returns to action on Saturday with a home game against Skidmore at 1:00 p.m.
