BRYN MAWR, Pa. – The Haverford College women's basketball team (10-12, 4-8 CC) held off Bi-Co rival Bryn Mawr (7-15, 0-12 CC) on Wednesday evening at Schwartz Gymnasium, securing a 52-44 victory.
Audrey Jakway led the way with a double-double, tallying 17 points and 14 rebounds. Shae Mercer contributed 11 points and seven rebounds, while Brianna Feifer added 10 points. The Fords dominated inside, outscoring Bryn Mawr 32-18 in the paint and holding a 39-28 rebounding advantage. Jessica Smith paced the Owls with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Daphne Bracker-Sturm chipped in eight points. Bryn Mawr shot 35.7 percent from the field but attempted just one free throw all game.
Haverford, shooting 37.7 percent on the night, struggled from beyond the arc (1-for-10) but compensated with a stifling defense that forced nine turnovers while committing just eight of their own.
The Fords opened with a 5-0 run, but the Owls responded with seven straight points to briefly take the lead late in the first quarter. Haverford quickly regained control with a dominant 15-4 run, making 7-of-8 shots from the field during that stretch. Jakway fueled the surge with seven points, while Feifer added four. A late floater from Mercer capped the quarter, giving Haverford a commanding 20-9 lead.
Bryn Mawr found its footing in the second quarter, matching Haverford's 12 points. Smith led the charge with seven points, including two three-pointers, while the Owls limited their turnovers. However, Haverford's early dominance provided enough cushion for a nine-point halftime lead. Both teams struggled offensively down the stretch, with neither scoring in the final 4:08 of the half.
Jakway, the only player in double figures at the break, had already secured a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. She also hit Haverford's lone three-pointer of the half.
Bryn Mawr edged Haverford 15-11 in the third quarter, closing the gap to just five after Bracker-Sturm's turnaround jumper with 31 seconds left in the quarter. Abby Ryan scored five points in the period, while Feifer added two as Jakway was held scoreless.
Jakway, however, came alive again in the fourth, scoring back-to-back layups to push Haverford's lead to nine (45-36) with 8:08 remaining. She added another basket at the 6:49 mark, extending the advantage to 12. Michelle Jiang answered with a jumper off a Hannah Govert assist to bring Bryn Mawr within eight, but Haverford sealed the win at the free-throw line in the waning moments.
The Fords now return to action on Saturday for Senior Day at Gooding '84 Arena, where Siena Emuobor and Michela Jones will be honored for their contributions to the program. The ceremony is set to begin before the 1 p.m. tip-off, and fans are encouraged to arrive early.