The Women's Basketball Team traveled to NVU Lyndon to play in the NVU-Lyndon Tip Off Tournament Friday (11/11) and Saturday (11/12)
On Friday they faced off against Fisher College and won in comfortable fashion winning 73-57. With a very impressive game from both Gabriella Wardwell and Paris Atuahene. Gabriella Wardwell scored 28 points on 13-23 shooting and had a monstrous game on the boards with 23 rebounds for a very impressive double double. Paris Atuahene scored 26 points on 10-24 shooting as well as going 6-7 on the charity stripe. As well as playing well on the defensive end with 4 steals. Emma Buonanno was also able to score into double figures with 10 points. As a team their success can clearly be seen on how much more dominate they were on the boards as they totaled 57 rebounds to the opposing team's 36 rebounds. As well as shooting more better from both the foul line and the field as our Badgers shot 39.2% from the field compared to Fisher's 30.9% and at the foul line our badgers shot a respectable 76.9% compared to Fisher's 63.6%.
After their Victory Friday on Saturday they faced NVU Lyndon to determine who would be the tourny winners. Our Badgers were able to claim victory over the game and tourny winning 78-68. Paris Atuahene, Gabriella Wardwell, and Emma Buonanno had standout performances again against NVU Lyndon. Paris Atuahene put on an impressive offensive display with 36 points on shooting 12-26 from the field as well as 50% from the 3. As well as excelling on the defensive end getting 9 rebounds and 3 steals. Gabriella Wardwell had another impressive well rounded double double with 11 points and 16 rebounds on 5-12 shooting. Emma Buonanno had as well had a very impressive game on both ends of the court with 22 points on a efficient 9-12 shooting coming off the bench with only 28 minutes of play. But on the defensive end she also was able to get 7 rebounds, 5 steals, and a block. Very impressive games for all three of these players. What really gave our Badgers the edge in the victory was their ability to get to the foul line and execute at the line. Our Badgers went 15-23 at the stripe shooting a 65.2% while NVU Lyndon went 5-9 shooting a 55.6%. Our Badgers agressive play and success at the line is what sealed the deal for the tournament win.
From Coach Eckman, "I am extremely proud of how our team performed throughout the NVU Classic. Everyone on the roster help contribute to our winning weekend, it was truly a team effort.We had two different game plans, one for each team, and I was impressed with how our Women's Basketball team executed on those plans as they changed game to game. In the first game verses Fisher College Gabby Wardwell tied a school record with 23 rebounds in the game, she played huge for us and really worked hard on both the offensive and defensive glass. Paris continues to play and score at a high level, registering 26pts & 36pts in the two game. This along with her assists, rebounding and steals earned her MVP honors. In the championship game we were able to jump out of to a double digits lead early in the 4th quarter but Lyndon battled back and cut the lead down to only a few possessions. I was impressed with the way our team handled the pressure of the moment and perfect great down the stretch to secure the victory and NVU Classic Championship, thanks in part to All-Tournament Team member Emma Buonanno 22pts , 5 steals and 4 offensive rebounds in the game. Our upperclassman on the team really came through for us, Devyn, Hattie and Madd all had strong games, along with newcomer Izzy who play great interior defense."