Feb. 16, 2008

Box Score

BABSON PARK, Mass. - Babson College seniors Nicole McManus (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) and Linsey Poulson (Leominster, Mass.) combined for 44 points and 30 rebounds in a dominating performance in the paint as the host Beavers upended the visiting United States Coast Guard Academy Bears, 70-54, in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) women's basketball game at Staake Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon. It was just the second conference loss of the season for the Bears, who dropped to 18-4 overall and 9-2 in league play, while the Beavers improved to 11-12 overall and 6-5 in the NEWMAC.

Babson completely dominated the first half, outscoring Coast Guard 33-13, including an 11-0 run over the first seven minutes of the game. The Bears struggled mightily from the field throughout the stanza, hitting just 5-of-30 shot attempts, including a 1-for-19 clip from three-point range. Meanwhile, McManus and Poulson controlled the inside for the Beavers, combining for 25 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 10-for-17 from the floor. Babson held a commanding 27-14 rebouding advantage at the break.

The Beavers continued to control play early in the second half, taking their largest lead of the game, 45-20, on a jumper by senior Caitlin Fenn (Niantic, Conn.) with 13:50 left to play. However, the Bears managed to make a game of it late, as senior Natalie Moyer (Oklahoma City, Okla.) scored 10 points during a 17-4 charge that cut Coast Guard's deficit to 60-51 with four minutes remaining. However, McManus answered with a jumper to push Babson's lead back to 11, and the Beavers converted 8-of-9 free throw attempts down the stretch to claim the 70-56 victory.

McManus celebrated Senior Day with the finest performance of her collegiate career, as she hit 9-of-11 from the floor and 7-of-7 from the line for a career-high 25 points to go along with 16 rebounds and six blocked shots. Poulson also registered a double-double with 19 points and 14 boards while shooting 9-for-18 from the floor, and Fenn added 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Senior Caitlin Boulier (Wolcott, Conn.) also had a solid game, amassing six points, four rebounds, three helpers, and two steals in the win.

Moyer led Coast Guard with 19 points, five rebounds, and a game-high seven steals while playing all 40 minutes. Senior Corinne McCormack (Havertown, Pa.) also played the entire game for the Bears, scoring 18 points to go along with four boards, four assists, and four steals. Sophomore Melissa Martinelli (Vero Beach, Fla.) added 13 points and five rebounds for the Bears, who shot 30.2 percent from the field in the game.