Brown University
13-10, 1-8Ivy
Penn
19-3, 8-0Ivy
Women's Basketball Challenges Penn before Falling, 69-59
2/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Freshman guard Shayna Mehta tied for the game high with 16 points as Brown University women's basketball challenged Penn, the top team in the Ivy standings, in an eventual 69-59 setback at the Pizzitola Sports Center on Friday night.
"I am pleased about the progress that we made at both ends of the court," head coach Sarah Behn said. "We got contributions from a lot of different people, and we did a better job for most of the game on the boards."
The Bears (13-10, 1-8 Ivy) kept within 29-26 of the Quakers (19-3, 8-0 Ivy) at halftime, but the visitors held off the hosts in the second 20 minutes to remain unbeaten in conference play.
"A few weeks ago at Penn we were down by a lot at halftime," Behn said. "Tonight we played with a lot more composure so maybe this is a sign that we can finish the season with some wins."
Mehta (San Francisco, Calif.) scored in double figures for the fifth straight game and added six rebounds while sophomore forward Kennedy Martin (Los Angeles, Calif.) netted 11 points.
Senior Jordin Alexander (Fishers, Ind.) compiled 10 points, four assists, and four rebounds, scoring in double figures for the 20th time on the year. Junior Rebecca Musgrove (Plainview, N.Y.) added nine points and six boards.
The Bears took care of the ball in the contest, committing just eight turnovers. Brown made 13-of-15 free throws (86.7 percent) in the game and has converted 48-of-52 shots from the charity stripe (92.3 percent) in the last three games.
Four points from Mehta in the first five minutes helped keep Brown within 9-8 of Penn, and a jumper from Alexander made it 14-10 with 3:22 to go in the first quarter. Martin converted on back-to-back baskets on a pair of assists from freshman Erika Steeves (Montreal, Quebec), and a Mehta jump shot inside the last 30 seconds pulled the Bears within 21-17 through one frame.
Brown's defense stymied the Quakers in the second period, and jumpers from Mehta, senior Natalie Ball (Orlando, Fla.), and Alexander trimmed the Bears' margin to 26-23 with 3:19 remaining in the first half. Sophomore Megan Reilly (Norwood, N.J.) knocked down a 3-pointer with 34 seconds on the clock, and Brown trailed 29-26 at the break.
The Bears remained within two possessions for all but 17 seconds in the first half and held the visitors to 3-of-19 shooting (15.8 percent) in the second quarter.
The hosts trailed just 33-31 early in the third quarter before the Quakers went on a 14-4 run to take a 47-35 edge with 2:22 to go in the stanza. A turnaround jumper from Martin and four points from Alexander brought the hosts within 49-41 before Penn brought a 52-41 lead into the fourth quarter.
Penn gained its largest lead at 62-46 with 4:48 remaining despite a trey from Musgrove. A wing 3-pointer from Mehta then keyed a 10-2 run for the Bears that cut the hosts' deficit to 64-56 with 1:05 left. Mehta scored six points during the streak prior to the visitors holding on for the win.
For Penn, Sydney Stipanovich totaled a double-double on 10 points and 19 rebounds. Beth Brzozowski netted 16 points, Anna Ross posted 13 points and five assists, and Michelle Nwokedi blocked six shots.
Next, Brown hosts Princeton tomorrow at 6 p.m.
Tickets for all Brown women's basketball games can be purchased online, by calling the Brown Athletics Ticket Office at (401) 863-2773, or by walking up to the box office located in the Pizzitola Sports Center, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
