Basketball Stumbles Against #21 Bowdoin

BRUNSWICK, Maine. -- A strong second half performance by the Bowdoin women's basketball team pushed the #21 Polar Bears to a 71-39 victory over the Wellesley Blue on Sunday in the opening day of the Bowdoin Classic. 

Bowdoin held Wellesley to just 18 second-half points, after carrying a 12-point (33-21) halftime lead.  The second half dominance pushed the Polar Bears to 8-1 overall, while Wellesley drops to 7-2.  The loss ended Wellesley's five-game winning streak that dated back to November 28, 2010.

Nicole Coombes led all scorers with 15 points while also grabbing seven rebounds. Alexa Barry scored eight points with ten boards for the Polar Bears, who had seven players net six or more points. Becca Kimball scored 11 points for the Blue, while Malia Maier added nine points with four assists.

Bowdoin closed the first half on a 19-9 run to take a 33-21 edge at intermission and quickly pushed the lead to 27 points with a 19-4 surge to open the second period. The Polar Bears held the Blue to 29% shooting in the second half and forced 25 turnovers in the game. Bowdoin also held a 42-32 edge on the glass.

Wellesley will play Trinity (Conn.) at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow at Morrell Gymnasium to close out the Classic. Bowdoin will host Clark at 6:00 p.m.