HAVERFORD, Pa. - Dominique Meeks and Jacquelyne Pizzuto combined for 31 points to help the Haverford College women's basketball team upend visiting Dickinson College, 72-65, Saturday afternoon and remain unbeaten in conference play.
The Fords (5-1, 4-0 CC) enjoyed a fast start in the contest as four different players tallied points during a 13-4 run in the opening six minutes of the contest. Victoria Sobocinski continued her impressive early-season play with seven points including one three-pointer in the course of the surge.
After the Red Devils (5-2, 1-2) pushed to within three, 18-15, with 11 minutes remaining in the half, Haverford responded with eight straight in the next minute and a half as a Meeks' putback came between two Nina Voith three-pointers. Dickinson moved within seven (26-19) at the 8:32 mark but Elizabeth Lynch nailed the Fords' fifth three-pointer of the half a minute later to restore Haverford's lead to double figures. The Fords' defense forced five Red Devils' turnovers in the final six minutes and Pizzuto hit one more from long range to help Haverford to a 37-25 advantage at intermission.
Rachel Baskin continued the Fords' aerial assault as she opened the second half with another three-pointer to give Haverford its largest lead of the afternoon, 40-25. Dickinson cut the advantage to six at the 12:30 (44-38) mark and again at 8:43 (49-43) but the Red Devils would get no closer as Lynch and Voith hit back-to-back jumpers to restore the double-digit advantage.
The Fords went 11-of-12 from the free throw line over the final two minutes, including a 6-of-6 effort by Pizzuto, to keep Dickinson at arm's length and finish off their fourth straight victory.
Haverford made a season-high nine three-pointers in the contest as it shot 47.4 percent (9-19) from behind the arc. Moving into fourth all-time in scoring in program history, Meeks finished with 16 points, two assists, two steals and a game-high 12 rebounds to record her second straight double-double. Pizzuto, tied her career-high with 15 points including two three-pointers and a perfect 7-of-7 performance from the free throw line. Baskin and Voith added nine points each as all eight players to see action hit the scoring column.
Six Fords recorded more than one assist in the contest as Haverford tallied 17 assists on 22 field goals. Baskin led the effort with four while Sobocinski and Pizzuto chipped in with three apiece.
The Fords' defense put forth another solid effort as it forced 18 turnovers that translated into 23 points on the offensive end. Haverford also limited the Red Devils to just one offensive rebound in the opening 20 minutes as it built a lead it never relinquished.
Bridget Borgese and Belma Mekic shared game-high scoring honors with 19 points to lead Dickinson.
Looking to keep their spotless Centennial record intact, the Fords head to Ursinus College on Thursday, Dec. 6 in the first of three consecutive road contests. The game against the Bears begins at 7 p.m.