CHESTERTOWN, Md. - The Haverford College women's basketball team (4-2, 1-1 CC) was upended by host Washington College (5-1, 2-0 CC) in overtime, falling by a 48-47 final on Tuesday evening at the Cain Athletic Center in Centennial Conference play.
Haverford was paced by a double-double effort from Cortlyn Morris, as the junior poured in 16 points and added 10 rebounds and two blocks to her ledger. Kayla Robinson also added nine boards to her five-point night while Ally Landau poured in a game-best 18, adding seven rebounds. Haverford controlled the glass to the tune of a 47-44 advantage, and an 18-7 differential in offensive boards. The Shorewomen were able to limit the Haverford offense to just a 24.7 percent shooting night from the field, while the Fords struggled for consistency from beyond the arc, tallying just three of their 18 attempts from long distance.
The hosts began the contest on a 9-2 run, forcing Haverford to search for some early answers. An 8-0 run gave the Fords a spark and eventually an early lead at 10-9, but the Shorewomen again jetted out on a run to take control of the early goings at 17-11 with 9:46 to go in the second. From there, Haverford again gained the upper hand, closing the quarter on a 9-0 run, heading into the intermission with a 20-17 lead behind the methodical spurt that saw Morris get hot down the stretch.
The two sides each scored 13 in a back-and-forth third quarter, as Haverford closed the period on an 11-4 jaunt thanks in part to strong play from Robinson and Landau. The final quarter saw Haverford extend its lead to five at 35-30 as Gia Flamini finished a layup with 8:19 remaining in regulation.
A 5-0 run for Washington College knotted the score at 35-35 following a three-pointer from Andrea Prestianne with just 2:01 to go. Landau and Prestianne traded buckets before Crystal Jones converted from the free-throw line to hand the hosts a three-point lead at 40-37 with just 33 seconds to play. Landau connected on a triple on Haverford's last possession of regulation, sending the game to a bonus period as Madeline Williams was off target with her buzzer-beater attempt.
In the extra frame, it was the Fords who looked poised early, as Landau reprised her prowess from beyond the arc with a key early three and then notched a pair of free throws for a 45-41 advantage with 2:37 to go. Washington College hit its free throws on the other end to pull back within one at 45-44, but Landau restored a three-point lead for the Fords with yet another bucket at 1:44 remaining.
A key steal by Joy Sanders set the stage for a pair of Jones free throws, giving the Shorewomen a late 48-47 lead. Haverford got the ball back with nine seconds remaining, but a flurry of shots in the final seconds went fruitless as the hosts were able to escape with the narrowest of victories thanks to some strong defensive pressure on the last inbounds.
Prestianne was a standout with 12 points and six rebounds while Jones (10 points, nine rebounds) and Williams (six points, nine rebounds) each played key roles in the victory. Washington College earned its first win over the Fords since the 2012-13 season.
Haverford now takes a pause for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend before resuming play on Tuesday, November 30. The Fords will host rival Swarthmore in a 6 p.m tip-off at Gooding '84 Arena. The game will precede the men's basketball contest with the Garnet, with tip-off for that game slated for 8 p.m.