The stands were packed at Voelkel Gym Wednesday night as the Sagehens (5-3, 2-1 SCIAC) hosted the Athenas (5-2, 1-1 SCIAC), hoping to break a 10-game Claremont-Mudd-Scripps winning streak in the Sixth Street Rivalry. Corinne Bogle CM ’19 led visiting CMS with a career-high 31 points, as they took home the 85-74 win.
The Athenas got out to a strong start on both ends, holding the Sagehens to just 10 points in the first quarter on their way to a 42-29 halftime lead.
In the third, the Sagehens made a push and were able to cut the lead to four at 53-49, before the Athenas regained control to close out the quarter, taking a 61-53 lead into the final frame.
Every time the Sagehens got within striking distance, the Athenas calmly stuck to their game plan and continued to put points on the board. CMS dominated Pomona-Pitzer on the boards, out-rebounding the Sagehens 42-19. On the offensive glass, they secured 21 rebounds, leading to a 28-6 advantage in second chance points.
In the fourth quarter, the Sagehens continued to hang around, and a three from Cameron Edward PO ’22 brought the score to 78-74 with 50 seconds remaining. However, as the Sagehens began to intentionally foul down the stretch, CMS was able to make enough free throws and secure enough offensive rebounds to pull away.
CMS left the door open for P-P, only making 11-20 free throws in the fourth quarter. However, the Sagehens were still unable to do anything about the Athena’s rebounding advantage. Multiple times, CMS missed their second free throw, but P-P couldn’t come up with the loose ball and capitalize on the miss. The Athenas’ eight offensive rebounds in the quarter were more than P-P had on both sides of the floor combined, which comprised of six rebounds.
Bogle’s 31 points were a career high, and she did it on an efficient 12/19 shooting from the floor. The Athenas also received a big contribution from Maya Love CM ’20, who finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
In addition to a big night from Anita Romero PO ’19, who had 19 points, two first-years for the Sagehens put up strong numbers, as Kamil English PO ’22 and Cameron Edward PO ’22 had 18 and 17 points, respectively.
The Sagehens and Athenas each have two more home games on their schedule before winter break, as P-P takes on non-conference opponents UC Santa Cruz (4-2) and Knox (5-3), while CMS will be playing UCSC and La Sierra (3-8).
Wednesday’s game was an early season glimpse at two of the strongest teams in the SCIAC. The Athenas and Sagehens will next meet at Roberts Pavilion on Jan. 24, in a game that will likely have large implications in the conference standings.
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