Bowdoin won its 12th straight game over Middlebury (10-10, 2-4) as the Polar Bears (16-4, 3-3) earned a 61-45 NESCAC road victory in Pepin Gym. The Polar Bears forced 34 Panther turnovers in the game, taking advantage with 26 points on the Middlebury miscues. Both teams return to action tomorrow when Middlebury hosts Colby and Bowdoin travels to Williams.
Bowdoin took a 16-6 lead through the game's first 6:32, sparked by eight points from Kaitlin Donahoe and six from Leah Rubega. The Panthers cut the lead to six on a pair of free throws from Elissa Goeke, as Bowdoin extended its lead to 33-21 at the break on a late hoop from Sabrina Cote.
Bowdoin held a double-digit lead for a majority of the second half, holding a game-high 18-point advantage on a hoop from Amy Hackett with 9:59 remaining. Middlebury chipped away, cutting the lead to 53-44 on a hoop from Kaitlyn Fallon with 2:47 left to play. The Polar Bears nailed 6-6 free throws down the stretch to seal the 61-45 victory.
Lauren Sanchez led Middlebury with 14 points, Brittany Perfetti scored 13, Stephany Surrette had six with nine boards. Rubega led Bowdoin with 13 points and 13 rebounds, followed by Caitlyn Hynes with 12 points and Katie Bergeron with nine.
Box Score
