The Middlebury women's basketball team mounted a comeback late in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough as Bates prevailed 72-59. 
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• Bobcat Meghan Graff came out strong, sinking a three with 27 seconds gone in the opening quarter. Graff helped Bates extend the lead to 14-4 at the 4:51 mark, rattling off 10 points during the span.
• The Panthers cut the deficit to single digits (18-10) with a layup and a free throw by Alexa Mustafaj in the final minute, but a basket by the Bobcats with 19 ticks left on the clock gave them a 20-10 edge at the break.
• Bates carried its momentum into the second stanza, slowly increasing its lead to 39-20 heading into intermission.
• Trailing 43-22, Augusta Dixon scored 10 of the next 12 points, bringing the difference to 45-32 just over midway through the quarter. 
• Panther Calie Messina converted a pair of charity tosses in the waning seconds of the frame, cutting into the Bates lead (56-43).
• With the Bobcats up 68-50 with 2:35 to go, the Panthers went on a 9-1 run. The span was capped by two free throws from Leah Poorman, cutting the deficit to 10 (69-59) with 46 ticks left on the clock.
• Middlebury was forced to foul down the stretch, but Bates converted 3-4 free throws for the 72-59 victory. 

NOTES

• Dixon nearly had a double-double, tallying 15 points and grabbing eight boards. 
• Tonight marked the 39th meeting between the two teams. 

The Panthers continue their road weekend at Tufts on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.