Brown University
2-0
Providence
0-2
Alexander, Steeves Lift Women's Basketball Past Providence, 57-47
11/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Senior Jordin Alexander tallied game highs with 15 points and five assists, and freshman Erika Steeves posted a double-double on 14 points and 12 rebounds as Brown University women's basketball topped crosstown rival Providence College, 57-47, on Tuesday night in its home opener at the Pizzitola Sports Center.
"This was not a pretty game for either team, but the name of the game is that we executed down the stretch," Brown head coach Sarah Behn said. "We had some really nice plays that worked well. I couldn't be happier. It's early, but it's a big win for us."
The Bears (2-0) took a 24-19 lead at the half, pushed their advantage to as large as 13 points at 40-27 in the third quarter, and stemmed a late run from the Friars (0-2) in the fourth quarter en route to the victory. Brown starts the year 2-0 for the first time since the 1990-91 season.
Steeves (Montreal, Quebec), a 6-foot-2 forward, totaled her first collegiate double-double while Alexander (Fishers, Ind.) connected on 5-of-13 shots from the field and 5-of-6 free throws to score in double figures for the second time in as many games.
Freshman guard Shayna Mehta (San Francisco, Calif.) contributed 11 points, and sophomore forward Janie White (Clarksville, Tenn.) registered seven boards and six points. Junior guard Rebecca Musgrove (Plainview, N.Y.) added six points, four rebounds, and three steals.
In the third quarter, the Bears extended their edge to 28-21 and then 32-23 with 5:34 to play in the period after a pair of free throws from Alexander. Providence pulled within 32-27, but Brown responded with an 8-0 run to take a 40-27 edge. Senior Ellise Sharpe (Tipp City, Ohio) highlighted the run with a 3-pointer while sophomore Kennedy Martin (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Mehta each hit jumpers. A driving Alexander layup gave Brown a 44-35 advantage heading to the fourth.
The Friars used a 7-0 spurt to cut their deficit to 46-42 with 4:35 to play, but Mehta countered with a leaning jumper in the paint and then knocked down a 3-pointer off an Alexander assist to put Brown up 51-44 with 2:57 remaining. Steeves hit a long 2-pointer off another feed from Alexander with 1:28 to go to give the Bears a 55-44 edge.
The two teams played within two possessions of one another throughout the first half with Providence holding a 14-12 lead after the first quarter, but Brown took a 24-19 lead at halftime. The Bears held the Friars to 24.2 percent shooting from the field in the first 20 minutes while Brown out-rebounded Providence 30-19 in the opening hal
With the Friars leading 18-14 with 7:36 to play in the second quarter, the Bears closed the half on a 10-1 run to gain their five-point edge at the break. Five different Bears scored during the streak, and Brown did not allow Providence to score from the field over that 7:36 span.
Next, Brown continues its four-game home stand with a match-up against Mount Ida on Thursday at 7 p.m.
