The seventh annual McWilliams Classic ended with a blast as no. 9 Washington University (4-1) beat Carleton College for the title, while Head Coach Nancy Fahey celebrated over 500 career wins.

It was a rocky road to the championship as the Bears fought off the Kenyon College Ladies (2-3) in two overtimes on Saturday night and nearly went into overtime again as the Carleton College Knights (1-1) tied the game at 46 with 7:06 left in the second half.

In both games, the Bears had double digit leads before their opponents fought back to tie the game in the second period.

“We need to develop a killer instinct,” said junior guard Jill Brandt. “We need to learn to put things away.”

WU 78, KENYON 75

With only 21 seconds left and two points behind, Kenyon fouled Wash. U. four times to prevent the Bears from killing time. The Ladies were able to force the game into overtime with a layup that tied the game at 61 points.

The Bears put more points on the board in the first overtime, and the Ladies answered back with an equal amount. With only a few seconds left in the first overtime and the score tied at 65, junior guard Halsey Ward, who had moments before fell into the bleachers hard to save the ball, had an opportunity for a three. Her shot hit the rim as the buzzer sounded to end the overtime.

Junior forward Jaimie McFarlin won the tip-off in the second overtime and buried a jumper. Coming out of a timeout with only a second left on the shot clock, McFarlin fought off a defender and nailed the first three pointer of her career. The Ladies responded to tie up the game.

A jumper from inside the paint by sophomore forward Zo‰ Unruh was the game winning shot.

“I don’t even think about it,” said Unruh. “I just have to take it.”

With the score at 76-75, Ward was fouled. She made both of her free throw shots for added insurance to put the score at 78-75.

“I missed the shot in the first overtime so I had to make it,” said Ward.

Kenyon was not out of it yet and nearly made a three pointer that hit the rim. Unruh grabbed the rebound and held onto the ball for the win.

After the game, the team presented Fahey with a bouquet of red flowers wrapped in green paper.

“She’s going to go down in history,” said Brandt. “She has a great legacy at Wash. U.”

With 501 wins and only 86 losses, Fahey has the fourth highest winning percentage in NCAA women’s basketball history in all divisions. Fahey is only the ninth coach in Division III history to achieve the 500th victory milestone.

“This really is just a statement to the many players that have played over the last 22 years,” said Fahey. “It’s more my thank you to them.”

WU 58, CARLETON 51

It was a tooth and nail fight throughout with the first half ending 23-19 in favor of the Red and Green after sophomore guard Laura Lane-Steele hit a three pointer with three seconds left.

For several minutes in the second stanza, the only Bear points came from junior guard Shanna-Lei Dacanay, who drilled a three pointer, drew a foul and nailed the free throw. Minutes later, Dacanay added another three points.

“I was glad I finally contributed offensively,” said Dacanay, still in the process of coming back from an ACL tear last season. “It came when we needed it.”

But several Bears contributed points and intense defense in the team effort. “My teammates are all awesome, day in and day out,” said freshman forward Kelsey Robb.

McFarlin pitched in the game winning point with a free throw. A combination of three points from McFarlin, a lay-up by Unruh and two free throw shots at the end by Ward sealed the deal with Wash. U. prevailing 58-51.

Unruh and McFarlin were named to the Seventh Annual McWilliams Classic All-Tournament Team with McFarlin garnering Most Valuable Player accolades. “It is an honor,” said Unruh. “I couldn’t have done it without anyone else.”

Unruh and McFarlin were consistently penetrating the defense and making points from the paint. “[They] made a big difference for us,” said center senior Sarah Tibesar. “I’m glad we came out on top.”

The Bears will now travel to Ohio to play Denison University on Dec. 1st followed by Capital University on Dec. 2. “There’s no rest for us,” said Fahey. “Game after game, they’re going to have to come out and play.”

“It’s going to bring out the best in us,” said McFarlin.

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