HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College women's basketball team (5-3, 4-1 CC) earned their second straight conference win this week with a convincing 56-45 victory over visiting Franklin & Marshall (2-6, 1-4 CC) on Saturday afternoon inside Gooding Arena. The game was back-and-forth until a dominating third quarter from the home team. The Fords were led by Kayla Robinson and Ally Landau, as the duo combined for 35 points.
The Fords knew coming in that a win here would solidify them as one of the top teams in the conference. It took two quarters for Haverford to pull away from the Diplomats, who were up for the challenge. It was a slow first quarter for Haverford as they shot 3-of-15 from the field.
However, the Fords still managed to get to the free-throw line eight times, knocking down five. Both teams seemed to emphasize the paint because the Diplomats shot six free throws of their own. Robinson piloted the Fords in the opening stanza, scoring five points to lead all scorers. Her defense was on display early as she collected two early steals. The quarter finished with Haverford leading 13-8.
Picking up action at the midway point of the second quarter, the Fords found themselves with a seven-point lead thanks to key baskets from Landau and Robinson. After a timeout from F&M, Jaclyn Feit got a basket back for the Diplomats but Robinson answered with a pair of free throws. With Haverford holding a 21-14 advantage, F&M pulled within two points before halftime thanks to buckets from Hailey Cabanas and Natalie Kolb.
At the half, F&M made the game's only three-pointer and outscored the Fords 11-8 in the second quarter. Haverford knew it would need to shoot better than their 20 percent second quarter to blow the game open and they would do just that in the third quarter.
Haverford shot 58.8 percent, and knocked down four free throws in the quarter. Landau connected on four of her six shot attempts scoring 11 points in the period. The Fords opened the quarter with an Erin Albright layup after a block from Cortlyn Morris kept F&M from tying the game. Gia Flamini then hit a corner three just a minute and 20 seconds into the second half to give the Fords their third seven-point lead of the contest. This time Haverford pushed the lead to nine points after a driving layup from Robinson. The Fords now held a 28-19 advantage with the Diplomats looking for answers on the offensive end.
Despite F&M logging its best quarter of the game with 15 points, the Fords had more going for them as they went on to score 25 in the third. Before they knew it, the Diplomats faced a 14-point deficit with two minutes remaining in the quarter. Baskets from Siena Emuobor, Flamini, and Albright were vital in building the double-digit lead. Eventually, F&M cut the lead to twelve as a Cabanas free throw was the last action of the quarter.
The final quarter was all about game management for the Fords. The team sensed F&M pushing for more and held the visitors off well with their defense. Haverford forced six F&M turnovers in the fourth and 22 for the game. Crashing the glass in the final quarter, Robinson locked up her sixth double-double of the season, finishing with ten rebounds to go along with her 20 points.
Cortlyn Morris was largely held in check on the offensive end of the floor but provided the team with key stellar defense, collecting eight rebounds, while adding five blocks and four steals.
Landau finished with 15 points, her seventh game of the season scoring that total or more. She also added six rebounds, three assists, and four steals to her name. The Fords outscored F&M in the paint 30-22 and scored 18 points off turnovers.
The Fords now return to action on Monday, traveling to Radnor for a non-conference matchup with Cabrini. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 6 p.m. as the Fords look to make it three straight wins in the early season.