The Middlebury women's basketball team wrapped up the regular season with a 63-55 triumph over visiting Bates on Saturday. Prior to the game, Middlebury recognized Michaela Sullivan as part of its Senior Day. Next up for the Panthers (12-10, 6-4) and Bobcats (14-7, 6-4) is the NESCAC Tournament. Both teams will learn their opponent when the brackets are released on Monday.

Middlebury got off to a tremendous start, scoring the first 10 points of the game. Leah Poorman and Augusta Dixon sparked the run, each connecting from behind the three-point arc. The Panther defense also did its part, holding Bates off the scoreboard for more than six minutes. Middlebury led 17-4 after the opening frame, limiting the visitors to only 11.1 percent (2-18) shooting from the floor.

In the second stanza, the hosts took their biggest lead of the contest (23-6) with 7:16 showing on the clock following a fast-break bucket by Alyna Baharozian. The Bobcats were able to close the margin to single digits by the end of the half, going on a 14-4 run, capped by a field goal from Brianna Gadaleta. Alexa Mustafaj closed the scoring in the final seconds, giving the Panthers a 29-20 cushion at the break.

Gadaleta closed Bates to within a point (33-32) with 3:39 showing on the clock in the third frame, but Middlebury notched four-straight points from the foul line to extend the advantage. A driving lay-up by Sullivan and two free throws by Mustafaj pushed the difference to 41-32, before Gadaleta scored from in the paint for the Bobcats to make it a 41-34 Panther lead.

In the fourth quarter, Middlebury regained its double-digit edge and led by as many as 14 (54-40), but a 7-0 run pulled Bates back to within striking distance. Twice, Bates got to within three points, but two key baskets by Sullivan and a trio of free throws by Mustafaj secured the 63-55 victory.

Mustafaj topped the Panthers with 20 points, giving her 449 points this season to put her fourth on the single-season list. Sullivan netted a season-high 13 points, while Dixon finished with a dozen. Bethany Lucey led Middlebury with seven rebounds.

Gadaleta paced Bates with 20 points and 11 boards, while Mia Roy added 16 points and Meghan Graff chipped in with 15 and eight rebounds.

The Panthers shot 40.8 percent (20-49) from the floor, while the Bobcats hit on 31.9 (23-72).