Lady Bullets basketball scores big over winter break
First-Year Jessica Swope had 20 points in Gettysburg’s match-up against Gwynedd-Mercy on Jan. 1 (Photo courtesy of Gettysburg College)
By Sara M. Laughna, Staff Writer
As many of us were at home preparing for the spring semester, the Gettysburg Women’s basketball team played on, accumulating a 7-1 record down the stretch, including a first place victory in the Days Inn Tournament here in Gettysburg. During that span the team won by an average of 15.57 points per game. Entering the spring semester the team is on a four game winning streak with nine conference games left this season.
The Bullets began the New Year by hosting the Days Inn Tournament. In the first game they faced the Alvernia Crusaders from Reading, Pennsylvania. Despite a final score of 62-50, the game was a nail-biter as the Bullets only led by five for most of the game. Junior Alyssa Isler led the Bullets with 13 points, including two 3-pointers, while also contributing three of the team’s 14 steals. First-year Jessica Porter and Junior Caroline Murphy dominated the paint as they each scored 12 points and blocked four and three shots respectively. The win against Alvernia set the Bullets up for the Championship game against Gwynedd-Mercy. The Bullets dominated the first half, entering the locker room with an eleven point lead, but the second half was not as smooth. Regardless, the Bullets were able to ride things out as they finished with a 58-52 win and the Days Inn Invitational trophy. Isler and Porter scored 21 and 20 points in the win.
After the tournament the Bullets re-entered Centennial Conference play where they had been 3-2 prior to the break. They re-started Conference play with an 18 point win against Washington at home. Jessica Porter starred in that game dropping 20 points and grabbing seven boards. The team then headed to Collegeville to face Ursinus where they lost a close 52-50 game. The Bullets entered halftime down 26-23 but in the second half they managed to out score Ursinus. Unfortunately, that was not enough to overcome the Bears. Caroline Murphy recorded a double-double with 21 points and 8 rebounds.
The loss did not slow the Bullets one bit, as they tore through the Centennial to win four straight against Bryn Mawr, Muhlenberg, McDaniel and Haverford. During the streak the team played some of their best ball of the season as they averaged a 24-point win margin. The streak was filled with both team and personal accomplishments. Against Bryn Mawr, every player on the team scored at least once. Murphy had double-doubles against Muhlenberg and McDaniel with 19 points and 14 boards while adding in four assists against Muhlenberg and 15 points and 11 rebounds against McDaniel. Against Haverford Murphy and Isler scored 18 and 15 respectively to score 33 of the team’s 47 points.
The Bullets returned to action at home against Dickinson Wednesday night, but at the time of this publication the score was unavailable. After that the team has a three game road stand but will return on Feb. 2 for a match-up with Ursinus College.
