Hamilton College’s Madie Harlem '13 poured in a game-high 23 points and the Continentals topped Bates College 60-50 in a NESCAC game at Bates’ Alumni Gym on Feb. 9.
Hamilton (12-10 overall, 3-6 NESCAC) has won six of its last eight games overall, and snapped a six-game losing streak against the Bobcats. Harlem, who was 8 of 13 from the floor, has averaged 22.8 points in the Continentals' last six wins.
Samantha Graber '16 dropped in 15 points and Eliza Howe '13 added 13 points and three steals. Olivia Pimm '14 grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds and Kim Goidell '13 finished with seven points, eight rebounds and three assists.
Meredith Kelly paced the Bobcats (11-11, 4-6) with 17 points and Brianna Hawkins chipped in nine. Taryn O’ Connell pulled down seven rebounds and Julia Rafferty led the team with four assists. Allie Beaulieu entered the night ranked 18th in Division III at 41.4 percent from long range, but was held to just 1 of 7 shooting on 3-pointers.
After Kelly made a layup to open the first half, Hamilton exploded for a 21-6 run, and led 21-8 with 11:03 left in the half. The Continentals led the rest of the way. Harlem had eight points and Howe added seven during the run. Hamilton took its largest lead of the half after four straight points by Harlem made it 30-16 with 4:35 left.
Bates finished the half with a 7-2 spurt and climbed to within single digits at 32-23 at the break. The Continentals shot 4 of 9 from 3-point range in the first half, while the Bobcats made just 1 of its 11 attempts from long range. Harlem led the way for Hamilton with 14 points on 5 of 8 shooting in the opening frame.
Harlem began the second half with a layup, but Hawkins converted a 3-point play that cut the Hamilton lead to 34-26. However, the Bobcats didn’t get closer than that the rest of the night. The Continentals outscored Bates 18-3 over the next eight minutes and took their largest lead at 52-29. Graber scored eight points during the spurt, and Harlem nailed a trifecta that capped the run with 10:46 left.
The Bobcats ended the game on a 21-8 run as neither team scored in the final two minutes. The Continentals shot 38.2 percent (21-55) from the floor, including 6 of 17 from 3-point range. Bates shot just 34 percent (20-59) overall, including a paltry 4 of 23 from beyond the arc. Hamilton pulled down 16 offensive rebounds and dominated the boards, 45-30.
The Bobcats are assured one of the eight berths for the NESCAC championship, which is slated to begin next Saturday, but may have missed a chance at earning the fourth seed and hosting a quarterfinal. The Continentals are in a three-way tie for the eighth and final spot with one game remaining.
Hamilton's game at Tufts University scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 10, has been postponed again. A new date and time have not been announced yet.
