Sections

NCAA Blog Homepage

This is Zachary Aronow reporting live from LeFrak Gynasium here at Amherst College where today, the Brandeis Judges take on the Centennial Conference Champions: Muhlenberg.

The Judges are coming off of a commanding 79-52 demolition of Mount St. Mary’s. Today’s matchup however guarantees to be a very tight one. Muhlenberg stunned observers everywhere when they upset host Bowdoin College on their floor court 58-57.

The Mules enter with the 16th best three point field percentage defense in all of DIII. Leading the pack for them is freshman phenom Alex Chili. Chili had received offers to play at the DI level but loved Muhlenberg so much that she decided to play DIII. Chili is a deadly shooter, second in DIII with 3.2 three point field goals per game.

Brandeis wins the tip and Diana Cincotta nails a three and we are underway.

13:39 — Brandeis has jumped out to a 13-10 lead but after coming off a Muhlenberg time out, the Judges have fallen into a pattern of going for the three. Fortunately, Muhlenberg has been unable to make their shot. Right now Muhlenberg is 4-12 while Brandeis has made 58 percent of their shots. Of concern however are the missed threes — Brandeis is not getting any penetration and they’re not converting on the open looks. However they are doing a good job battling for the rebounds.

At the ten minute mark, Brandeis is on a 11-0 run.

So far, it has been all Judges. Up 27-10, with 17 unanswered points and Chapin gets a swipe away from Chili and makes an amazing shot off her own miss. At the 7:42 mark, Muhlenberg makes their first basket in nearly ten minutes of action. Interesting stat of note, Brandeis already has 17 rebounds to Muhlenberg’s 8.

Three minutes left to go and fouls are starting to become a concern. Lauren Orlando ’09 already has three as does Jess Chapin. Brandeis can ill-afford to lose either player, especially Chapin. Even worse, Muhlenberg is starting to climb back into this one. The Mules have made it a specialty to climb back from tough deficits. One thing that will make this easier for Muhlenberg is that Brandeis is now in the double-bonus. Ninety seconds left to go, Brandeis up 36-24.

SECOND HALF

The first ended with Muhlenberg on a bit of a run, we’ll see if Brandeis can hold. These next five minutes will be crucial in establishing the momentum and even who comes out on top.

11:57 Brandeis 51, Muhlenberg 40

Time out on the floor. So far Brandeis has done a great job working the ball inside and avoiding the fouls. However Kelly McKeon has been absolutely unstoppable out there. Driving it inside, spinning around, hitting the three, McKeon is single handedly carrying the Mules, not wanting her season to end tonight.

9:21 Brandeis 57, Muhlenberg 45

Coach Simon just burned a 30 sec timeout. Must have really not liked what she saw since she is loathe to use them. Earlier, Alex Chili made her first three pointer of the game and there is more than enough time for her to get hot and turn the game around.

4:28 Brandeis is up 67-55. Muhlenberg however has not given up with out a fight. Fortunately, neither has Brandeis. This is one hell of a game here ladies and gents.

1:50 Brandeis 70, Muhlenberg 61

With under two minutes left to go, Brandeis is up by nine and now will get two shots on any foul. Brandeis still has two fouls left to give. The Mules have definately lived up to their reputation of performing under pressure, three three’s have brought the game to single digits.

Now Muhlenberg is in hack mode while Deis goes for the clock killer. If they keep making their free throws, then it is all over for the Mules incredible run.

18.5 seconds left, Chapin at the line for two, this one is all over. Brandeis will be going to the Elite Eight and I will be bringing you pxp tomorrow.

BRANDEIS WINS, BRANDEIS WINS!!!!