HAVERFORD, Pa. — The Haverford College women's basketball team pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure a 51-37 victory over visiting Swarthmore in a Centennial Conference rivalry matchup Wednesday night at Gooding '84 Arena. The win gives the Fords a key Hood Trophy point and snaps a five-game losing streak.
Haverford's victory was part of a larger celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). The annual event, recognized by the Women's Sports Foundation and held on the first Wednesday in February, marks its 39th anniversary this year. The occasion was celebrated with a pre-game reception, including a chalk talk and cupcakes, and a halftime event featuring local youth teams playing "knockout."
The game remained tight through three quarters, but Haverford (9-11, 3-7 CC) used a 15-4 scoring advantage in the final period to take control. Senior forward Audrey Jakway led the Fords with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Shae Mercer added a double-double with 11 points, 10 boards, and five assists in a well-rounded effort.
Swarthmore (6-14, 2-9 CC) struggled offensively, shooting just 29.1 percent from the field and making only one of 12 three-point attempts. Despite a strong effort from Anna Hansson, who posted a game-high 17 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks, the Garnet managed just four points in the fourth quarter.
Haverford's defense forced 18 turnovers and limited Swarthmore to 16-of-55 shooting. The Fords also capitalized at the free-throw line, sinking 17-of-22 attempts compared to Swarthmore's 4-of-11 mark from the charity stripe.
After leading 16-13 at the end of the first quarter, Haverford endured a scoring drought in the second, allowing Swarthmore to get within three entering halftime as Hansson briefly cut the lead to just one at 22-21 before Caroline Orza responded with a three-pointer at the other end of the court. Hansson made the second of two free throws to pull her team back within three at the intermission.
The teams traded baskets in the third before the Garnet made a run to get back within one at 34-33 following back-to-back layups from Raven Richardson and Hansson.
From that point, Haverford unleashed a 9-0 run, punctuated by three free throws from Orza, and eventually stretched the spurt to 13-1 with Brianna Feifer's layup that came with under three minutes to play. Katelyn Becker made a layup to end the run, but Haverford kept its foot firmly on the gas pedal, with a turnover leading to an emphatic Jakway layup that put the Fords up 14 with under 90 seconds left, effectively sealing the contest.
Haverford outrebounded Swarthmore 40-33, with Abby Ryan and Jakway anchoring the effort inside. Ryan was seemingly everywhere for the Fords as she chipped in eight points and six rebounds to go with three blocks, while Feifer contributed eight points and two steals.
Haverford will look to continue its momentum when the Fords travel to McDaniel for another key Centennial Conference clash on Saturday. The contest is slated for a 1 p.m. tip-off in Westminster, Maryland.