AMHERST — The fourth-ranked Amherst College women’s basketball team struggled offensively at times for one of the first times this season on Friday night.
The Mammoths committed a season-high 25 turnovers and shot 16-for-43 from the field against Bates. Although the Mammoths struggled to score, the team’s smothering defense shined through and helped lead Amherst past the Bobcats, 43-37, at LeFrak Gymnasium.
Madeline Eck scored a game-high 19 points for Amherst (15-1, 3-0 NESCAC), which has won 12 straight. Courtney Resch scored eight points and picked up eight rebounds.
The Mammoths held Bates to five points on 2-of-19 shooting in the third quarter to help push the team to victory.
“That’s what saved us tonight,” Eck said about Amherst’s defense. “We are thankful to have our defense to fall back on, but we are still trying to figure out where the kinks are on offense and how we can get better shots.”
Amherst turned the ball over eight times in the first quarter. Ariana Dalia scored eight points for the Bobcats (9-6, 1-1 NESCAC) to help put Bates ahead, 13-11, going into the second quarter.
Bates started to challenge Amherst in the paint as halftime approached. Resch (four blocked shots) played solid interior defense to force the Bobcats to pass the ball to the outside after driving into the paint.
The Mammoths went into the break with a 22-20 lead.
“We weren’t in rhythm tonight,” coach G.P. Gromacki said. “I don’t know what it was, but we weren’t in sync.”
Amherst’s offense was sparked by its defense in the third quarter. The Mammoths’ defense forced Bates into 15-straight missed shots in the frame. The Bobcats didn’t score until 1 minute, 47 seconds left in the frame.
“I think the hallmark of our team is defense,” Eck said. “We put that on display tonight.”
Eck took advantage of missed shots from Bates and scored eight points in the third quarter.
“She made some big shots for us,” Gromacki said. “She brings a lot for us. When we need a bucket we can go to her.”
Eck continued to carry the offensive load moving into the fourth quarter, but Bates found ways to keep Amherst from going on runs by scoring off cuts into the paint.
With a minute to go in the game, Eck cut to the hoop from the top of the key for a wide-open layup to push the Mammoths’ lead to 41-35. Eck came up with a key defensive rebound and made two free throws to seal the victory.
The Mammoths are on a win streak, but the team didn’t feel like it was clicking until late last month.
Amherst went to Nevada to play Keene St. on Dec. 29 and flew to California to play the Redlands on Dec. 31. Amherst won both games.
Gromacki feels like the group learned a lot about itself during the trip
“That really helped us out,” Gromacki said. “Sometimes you aren’t going to play your best. We didn’t tonight, but we’ll take the win.”
The Mammoths didn’t feel mentally locked in during Friday night’s game, but know how well the team can play when it is.
“The focus wasn’t there 100 percent of the time,” Eck said. “But when we play together and know our game plan, I think we are a tough team to beat.”