GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico - The Haverford College women's basketball team (4-6) secured a significant victory over Mary Washington (8-4), a team receiving votes in the latest D3Hoops.com poll. The Fords claimed a 56-54 triumph in the finale of the Puerto Rico Clasico on Saturday afternoon at Coliseo Mario Morales in the San Juan suburbs.
Ally Landau led the charge for Haverford, coming off the bench to deliver a season-best performance with 31 points in 31 minutes. She connected on four-of-nine from beyond the arc and added seven rebounds.
Siena Emuobor sealed the victory for the Fords with a crucial layup with 1:11 remaining in the fourth quarter, contributing nine points and eight rebounds. Gia Flamini showcased her playmaking skills with five assists, a game-best in the early-afternoon thriller.
Haverford maintained the lead for the majority of the game, but Mary Washington remained persistent, capitalizing on 18 points off turnovers to keep the game close. Haverford dominated the boards with a commanding 44-35 advantage and capitalized on 22 of 27 free-throw attempts.
The Fords started strong, taking a 7-2 lead with Shae Mercer earning the opening layup. Abby Ryan extended the lead to 9-4 with a runner five minutes into the opening frame, but Mary Washington rallied to tie the score at 9-9. Landau then spearheaded a 7-2 run, propelling the Fords to a 17-13 lead.
Landau's sharpshooting continued in the second quarter, as she connected from downtown to give Haverford a seven-point advantage at 27-20. However, the Eagles responded, tying the score at 27-27. The first half concluded with Haverford holding a slim two-point cushion at 36-34, thanks to crucial points from Sophie Baker and Shae Mercer at the free-throw line.
The third quarter featured both teams taking turns at the lead, with Landau and Emuobor contributing clutch buckets as the Fords went ahead by six at 42-36 with 6:39 to play. Mary Washington fought back to tie the score at 42-42 with 2:18 remaining and briefly took a two-point lead at 44-42 with 1:45 to play. Landau responded with five consecutive points, sending the Fords into the final quarter with a three-point lead.
The fourth quarter saw the Fords maintain a three-point cushion with 8:59 to go, but Ashley Martin's jumper gave Mary Washington back the advantage with just seven minutes left. Landau scored two consecutive buckets, putting the Fords up four with 5:23 to go. However, Jordan Carpenter and Sydney Sherman led a tidy 4-0 run for the Eagles, tying the game with 2:29 to play.
In the closing minutes, both teams focused on lockdown defense, denying perimeter looks. Haverford turned to its post play down the stretch, designing a play to find Emuobor down low following a timeout with 1:11 to go. Haverford's defense stood tall on the ensuing Eagles posseion,, denying a Mary Washington surge, and securing a crucial rebound. A last-ditch attempt from the Eagles with under 10 seconds to play proved futile as the Fords' defense swarmed, preventing a final shot attempt.
Carpenter of Mary Washington contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds in a double-double effort.
Looking ahead, the Fords dive into Centennial Conference competition back in the Keystone State on Saturday, January 6, facing Dickinson in a key matchup at Gooding '84 Arena. The contest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., followed by the men's team taking on Dickinson at 3 p.m.