BRYN MAWR, Pa. — The Haverford College women's basketball team (9–5, 1–3 Centennial) earned its first Centennial Conference victory of the season with a 57–47 win over Bi-Co rival Bryn Mawr (4–10, 0–4 Centennial) on Saturday afternoon at the Class of 1958 Gymnasium. The Fords secured the victory by forcing 28 turnovers, converting them into 20 points, and holding a narrow edge in the paint with 28 points. Bryn Mawr briefly led in the opening quarter but struggled to sustain momentum, ultimately falling despite a balanced rebounding effort.
A back-and-forth opening quarter saw Bryn Mawr look to create separation when Jenny Briggs knocked down a three-pointer to give the Owls a 10–7 lead. Trailing 16–9, Haverford responded as Shae Mercer connected on a jumper at the 1:54 mark following a Caroline Orza layup to pull the Fords within three, 16–13. Hannah Mack drained a three with 55 seconds remaining to help Bryn Mawr take a 19–15 advantage into the end of the first quarter.
Despite shooting 7-for-18 from the field in the opening period, Haverford capitalized on the glass, collecting 10 rebounds—including five offensive boards—to generate second-chance opportunities. The Fords matched Bryn Mawr with eight points in the paint and forced four turnovers. Bryn Mawr shot 46 percent from the field, went 5-for-5 at the free-throw line, and connected on two three-pointers to maintain its lead.
Haverford opened the second quarter with a Brianna Feifer layup at 9:50, followed by a fast-break finish from Alyssa Aslam off an assist from Bri Heafey to tie the game at 19–19. The teams continued to trade baskets before the Scarlet and Black pulled ahead 27–23 on an Orza fast-break layup at the 2:47 mark. Bryn Mawr answered late with a jumper from Mack and a layup by Bridget Barron with 16 seconds remaining, but Haverford maintained control and carried a 30–27 lead into halftime.
The Fords' defense fueled the second quarter, forcing eight turnovers and converting them into six points while outscoring Bryn Mawr 15–8. Haverford also controlled the interior, scoring 12 points in the paint and securing nine defensive rebounds to limit second-chance opportunities.
Haverford extended its lead in the third quarter, outscoring its Bi-Co rival 14–9. After Michella Jiang opened the half with a layup to pull Bryn Mawr within one, Orza grabbed an offensive rebound and converted a putback at the 8:10 mark to restore a three-point advantage. Heafey then knocked down a key three-pointer at 6:38, assisted by Briana Pellew, to stretch the lead to six.
The Fords continued to apply pressure as Mercer completed a three-point play at 5:30 to give Haverford its largest lead of the game at 38–31. Feifer capped the quarter with a three-point play with one second remaining, sending the Fords into the final period with a 44–36 advantage. Haverford capitalized on seven Bryn Mawr turnovers in the quarter, collecting five steals and limiting the Owls to two made field goals on 12 attempts.
Bryn Mawr opened the fourth quarter with a Briggs free throw to cut the deficit to 44–37, but Orza answered with four straight points to give Haverford an 11-point lead at 48–37 with 8:43 remaining. The Owls attempted to rally as Briggs hit a three-pointer at 6:09, assisted by Jiang, and Vollor followed with a layup at 5:22 to trim the margin to six.
Haverford responded decisively. Feifer drilled a crucial three-pointer at the 1:05 mark, assisted by Mercer, to push the lead to 53–42. Despite a late three from Briggs, the Fords sealed the victory at the free-throw line, as Mercer and Heafey combined for four late foul shots to secure the 57–47 final. Haverford outscored Bryn Mawr 13–11 in the fourth quarter, fueled by points off turnovers and a 6-for-8 performance from the line.
Orza led the Fords with 21 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, recording her second double-double of the season. Feifer added 15 points and three steals, while Heafey contributed 10 points and four steals. Mercer chipped in nine points and three steals to round out Haverford's balanced effort.
Briggs paced Bryn Mawr with 10 points, knocking down three three-pointers, and led the Owls with six assists while adding eight rebounds and three steals. Jiang recorded a double-double with 12 rebounds and seven points to go along with four steals. Vollor led all scorers for the Owls with 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting, converting six of seven free throws and pulling down eight rebounds.
The Fords return to action on Wednesday, January 14, as the Scarlet and Black travel to Collegeville, Pa., to continue Centennial Conference play against Ursinus. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
