Jessica Jowdy, Swarthmore
SWARTHMORE, Pa. – Jessica
Jowdy scored 12 points and came up with a key block
defensively in the waning seconds as the Swarthmore College women's
basketball team rallied to record a 69-66 victory over Gettysburg
on Saturday, Jan. 17 at Tarble Pavilion.
Gettysburg (10-4, CC 5-4) had the lead for most of the second half
and was up 60-52 following two made free throws by Jamie Relin.
Swarthmore, however, answered with a 15-3 run and went ahead for
the first time since the 6:39 mark of the first half when Maggie
O'Neil drew a foul on a fast break and nailed two free
throws to make it 64-63 with 55 seconds left in regulation.
Trailing by a point, Gettysburg had the ball and had the
opportunity to take the last shot to win the game. The ball went
into Jenna Swope, but her short jumper was blocked by Jowdy. The
junior then made one of two free throws on the other end to put
Swarthmore up 65-63.
After freshman Melanie
Ackerman made a pair of shots from the stripe to extend
the lead to 67-63, Kim Ryan answered by canning a shot from half
court that created a 67-66 score with about two seconds left.
Abbey
Deckard then closed out the game by sinking two free
throws at the other end, as the Garnet scored its last seven points
from the line to survive and escape with the win.
The first half featured one tie and 10 lead changes in the opening
14 minutes. O'Neil and Jowdy each nailed 3-pointers to give
Swarthmore an early 6-2 lead before the Bullets answered with seven
of the next nine to begin a seesaw affair. Emily Gibbons recorded a
3-point play the old-fashioned way to put Gettysburg up 25-23 and
ahead for the remainder of the half.
In addition to scoring 12 points and adding a block down the
stretch, Jowdy also registered four steals and dished out three
assists for Swarthmore. Senior Elle
Larsen added a game-high 24 points and eight rebounds,
while Ackerman matched a career high with 17 points by most notably
drilling five shots from beyond the arc.
Gibbons led a balanced effort by Gettysburg, recording a
double-double with 11 points and 13 boards. Annie Reilly, Jessica
Porter and Swope netted 10 points apiece, and Reilly also finished
with three blocked shots.
Swarthmore (5-10, CC 2-7) hosts archrival Haverford on Wednesday,
Jan. 17 at 6 p.m.