BRUNSWICK, Me. – Behind a career-high 30 points from
Caleigh Ryan '22, the Wesleyan women's basketball team dominated Bowdoin in the regular season finale, 81-60, on Sunday afternoon. Wesleyan (11-12, 4-6 NESCAC) scored the first 11 points of the game and never looked back, leading wire-to-wire to secure the Cardinals' first win over the Polar Bears (16-8, 5-5 NESCAC) since 2013.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- The Cardinals set a substantial precedent both offensively and defensively throughout the first quarter, jumping out to a 11-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game that forced a Bowdoin timeout early on in the quarter. Tori DaCosta '25 was a key piece on the boards, as the first-year grabbed eight rebounds (three offensive) in the first quarter alone. A quick Bowdoin turnover increased Wesleyan's lead to 20-6 near the end of the quarter as Maggie Lee '23 hit a long-range three-pointer to continue the Cardinal surge. The Cardinals held a 23-12 lead over the Polar Bears at the end of the first quarter.
- Bowdoin was able to get off to a better start in the second quarter as Megan Tan scored a triple early on to decrease the margin to eight, as the Cardinals led 25-17. In the face of Bowdoin's momentum, Wesleyan answered right back with another run, this time outscoring the Polar Bears 11-1 highlighted by three-pointers from Brooke Guiffre '23 and Ryan on consecutive trips down the floor.
- Leading 40-27 at the halftime break, Wesleyan continued their momentum into the third quarter, consistently pressuring the Bowdoin defense with quick passes and drives to the paint, as the Cardinals continued to dominate in rebounds as they maintained control of the game. Maddie Clark '22 had a fast drive to the basket that expanded the Cardinal lead to 54-33. Callie Godfrey had a strong third quarter contributing eight points to the Bowdoin scoreboard with several scores from inside the paint but Wesleyan sustained their lead and closed out the quarter leading 59-40.
- Wesleyan and Bowdoin traded baskets in the beginning stages of the fourth quarter as Marina Petruzzi '22 scored a three-pointer in the first 10 seconds followed by a jumper by Sela Kay contributing to the Polar Bear's offensive effort. Ryan made a speedy pass to DaCosta as she was able to score a jump shot in the paint that resulted in the largest lead of the game with Wesleyan up 25 points, leading 70-45. Ryan closed out the game with a great drive to the basket that resulted in a layup and a foul, as her 30th point was scored with a free throw to finish off the three-point play.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- DaCosta achieved a career-high 12 points and 15 rebounds, securing a double-double for the first time in her career
- Ryan continues a stellar run of play as she easily bested her previous career-best of 24 points with a 30-point explosion to go along with 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 38 minutes. Ryan has grabbed double-digit rebounds in seven straight games.
- Petruzzi added 14 points while Guiffre posted 10 points as four Cardinals scored in double figures
- Megan Tan led the way for Bowdoin with a career-high 27 points while Callie Godfrey finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds
UP NEXT:
Wesleyan will learn its matchup for the NESCAC Tournament when pairings are announced on Monday
