HAVERFORD, Pa. – Dominique Meeks' 17 points and a balanced team effort helped propel the Haverford College women's basketball team past visiting McDaniel College, 61-43, in Centennial Conference action Saturday afternoon.
The Fords (15-6, 10-6 CC) won their second game in a row while completing the season sweep over the Green Terror (9-12, 6-11).
Haverford opened the game on the long-range attack as three different players struck from beyond the arc in the first eight minutes of the contest to help the Fords edge out to a 13-10 lead. Haverford then reeled off the next 12 points to extend its lead to 15 with 8:51 on the clock. Rachel Rybak kept McDaniel within striking distance with 14 first half points but the Fords held a 29-21 lead at the break.
Applying their trademark defensive pressure, Haverford held McDaniel to 32 percent shooting in the opening stanza and forced 12 turnovers. The Fords, on the other hand, enjoyed 44 percent shooting from the field including four three pointers. Hope Rainey led the effort by Haverford with eight points as she went perfect from the field (2-of-2) and the line (3-of-3).
The Green Terror cut the lead to four on three occasions early in the second half but each time the Fords answered on the ensuing possession. McDaniel managed to trim the Haverford advantage to five, 46-41, with 7:27 remaining but the Fords, aided by two three pointers from Rainey, closed out the game on a 17-2 run.
The Green Terror became the latest opponent to feel the wrath of the Haverford defense as they finished with a 30 percent shooting effort in the contest.
Meeks also led the Fords with nine rebounds. Rainey finished with 14 points including 3-of-4 shooting from behind the arc on the afternoon. The supporting cast was plentiful as Victoria Sobocinski and Jacquelyne Pizzuto each added nine points, while Calla Miller tallied six points to go along with her four assists. Rachel Baskin took game-high honors with five assists as Haverford accumulated an impressive 19 helpers in the contest.
Rybak, limited to just two points in the second half, paced McDaniel with 16 points. Emma Wingerd grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Green Terror's effort on the glass.
The Fords continues their drive for the playoffs Monday night as it hosts Bryn Mawr College at 7 p.m.