Wednesday, Feb. 14, the Elizabethtown College women’s basketball team received an overtime win against the Catholic University of America.
Sophomore Lydia Lawson was back in the starting line after a two-game absence and was a leading lady in the game, making 20 of Etown’s 66 points. She made 13 of her points in the first half of the game.
First-year Veronica Christ also had a hand in the starting line and made the first three baskets for the Blue Jays. Senior Emma Hoesman, also in the starting line, received a cross-court pass from Christ and hit an open basket.
The Catholic Cardinals took over the game and two of their significant players took 14 points each for a team-high. They outscored Etown 8-5 over the final three minutes of the first quarter.
Hoesman hit a three-pointer, putting Etown back in the lead later in the first half. Catholic quickly regained the lead. Junior Abby Beyer was fouled for shooting a three for the first of two times in the game. The shot didn’t go in, but all three foul shots did, tying up the game 27-27.
In the second half, the Cardinals struggled offensively, while Etown was able to keep both their defense and offense intact. Lawson shot six more points during the game.
The Cardinals began to bring up the defensive pressure and, with the lead going back-and-forth, keep it for a while. Sophomore Mikayla Ruth put the game into overtime after being fouled with shooting with less than a second left on the clock.
The lead continued to go back-and-forth in the possession of the two teams throughout most of overtime. Lawson came out with the win for Etown at the foul line and the team clinched a spot in the Landmark playoffs.
The Blue Jays played again on Saturday, Feb. 17, this time against Susquehanna University and again took a win with a final score of 81-56.
Closing out the regular season and securing the third seed in the Landmark Conference playoffs, Etown hit a season-high 11 three-pointers. Christ was a big player in this game, tying a game-high with 23 points.
Ruth made the first five points, two of them jump shots. Hoesman made a basket later in the first quarter, putting Etown at the lead.
The second quarter was overtaken by the Susquehanna River Hawks, but by the second half of the game Etown got their fire back. They made 25 and 20 points in the third and fourth quarter, respectively.
Sophomore Lauryn Mitchell hit three free throws late in the game, making her first points in a Blue Jays’ uniform. Etown ran out the clock to take the win.
This season has been successful for the women’s basketball team. Overall their record was 15-9 at home it was 10-1 and away 4-8. The jays knew how to use their home court as an advantage for their play.
Christ was named the Landmark Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week for the first time of her career for the 2018-19 season. She has been a big contributor to the team throughout the season.
The team is headed to the Landmark Conference playoffs following a semifinal match against the second seed, Juniata College.
During the regular season, the Blue Jays played Juniata twice and were not able to score a win. Time will tell whether or not the Blue Jays continue to advance.
