It took two overtimes before Washington University beat Kenyon College for Coach Nancy Fahey’s 500th career victory.
Coach Fahey, with 500 wins and only 86 losses, has a winning percentage of .853, which is the fourth highest in NCAA women’s basketball history in all divisions. She is only the 9th coach in Division III history to achieve this milestone.
“This really is just a statement to the many players that have played over the last 22 years,” said Coach Fahey. “It’s more my thank you to them.”
It wasn’t an easy game as the Red and Green built up leads that the Ladies at which slowly chipped away. The Bears seemed to be on the verge of dominating towards the end of the first half, but the Ladies fought back to bring the score to only 34-30.
Both teams played tough defense with minutes on the clock winding down and not a single change to the scoreboard. In one instant, junior guard Jaimie McFarlin, who set a career high of 28 points, stuffed a Kenyon player sending the ball hurtling into the opposition’s bench.
The Bears began pulling away in the beginning to a 15 point lead with 7:35 left. With the scores 57- 42, the Ladies weren’t about to roll over and give up. They fought against the onslaught of Bear points.
With only 21 seconds left and two points behind, Kenyon College fouled Washington University four times to prevent the Bears from killing time. Kenyon was able to rebound the ball, slip past the defense, make a lay-up and force the game into overtime with the score tied at 61-61.
The Bears put more points on the board and the Ladies answered back tying the game at 65-65. With only a few seconds left, junior guard Halsey Ward, who had moments before fell into the bleachers hard to save the ball, had an opportunity for a three. Sadly, the ball bounced off the rim.
The second overtime went Wash. U’s way with McFarlin winning the tip off and burying a jumper. Coming out of a timeout with only one 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 within the paint by sophomore guard Zoe Unruh was the game winning shot.
“Every shot is the game winning shot,” said Unruh. “I don’t even think about it. I just have to take it.”
With the score at 76-75, Ward was fouled. Ward 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 junior Ward.
Kenyon wasn’t out of it yet and nearly made a three pointer that hit the rim and was rebounded by Unruh who held onto the ball for the win.
After the game, the team presented Coach Fahey with a bouquet of red flowers wrapped in green paper. “It’s awesome to be part of this milestone,” said junior Ward.
The Bears continue competition in the McWilliams Classic against Carleton College at 3 p.m. on Sunday.