The Middlebury women's basketball team battled over the opening quarter but could not pull off the victory in a 66-55 setback to Amherst on Friday evening.

 HIGHLIGHTS

• Alexa Mustafaj had the hot hand early for the Panthers, tallying the first eight points to put the squad ahead by one (8-7) with 2:36 remaining in the first quarter.
• Amherst responded by scoring seven of the next 11 points to take a 14-12 lead after the opening frame.
• The Mammoths started to pull away to open the second stanza. Maya Cwalina converted a jumper to cap a 17-8 surge to put the visitors ahead by 11 (31-20) at the 2:30 mark.
• Middlebury chipped the deficit to seven with four-consecutive points before two free throws by Reagan Pahl rebuilt the visitors' lead to 33-24 at halftime.
• Amherst kept its foot on the gas pedal to begin the third quarter. A layup by Cwalina swelled into a 9-2 run over 2:47, extending the Mammoths' lead to 41-26.
• Keeley Baglio converted a layup to push the deficit to 41-29 before consecutive buckets by Pahl paired with a free throw by Laura Mendell gave Amherst its largest lead of the contest at 17 (46-29) with 3:48 left. 
• The Panthers found a rhythm to close the third as six quick points for Mustafaj made the score 51-37 heading into the fourth. 
• Middlebury could not get closer than nine over the final 10 minutes as Amherst secured the 66-55 victory.

NOTES

• Mustafaj led all scorers with 34 points, marking the guard's third 30-plus game this season.
• Augusta Dixon grabbed 13 rebounds, moving her into sole possession of second all-time in program history with 815.
• Middlebury and Amherst met for the 35th time.

The Panthers close their regular season slate on Saturday with Senior Day against Hamilton at 3:00 p.m.