With a weekend sweep of Ivy foes Brown and Yale, the women’s basketball team now has a team-best 13 wins this season with four games still to play. The Lions succeeded this weekend with consistent and smart basketball. Their keys to the game were rebounding, aggressive play, defensive speed, ball movement, controlled tempo, and communication.
Columbia’s successes this season have come from their control of the glass, and this weekend was no different. The Light Blue outrebounded their opponents by 25 boards, achieving their margin by fighting for every loose ball. Big post players like sophomores Lauren Dwyer and Judie Lomax entered the fray as always, but co-captain Sara Yee, a guard, also looked to pull down rebounds and give her team an extra possession.
The intensity of the forwards inside was matched by the guards outside, as the Lions frustrated the Bulldogs and the Bears with full-court presses and half-court traps. This strategy severely disrupted the opposition, forcing long passes that often went awry.
Columbia’s half-court press lulled their opponents into a false sense of security. With no pressure in the backcourt, Yale and Brown appeared comfortable bringing the ball up, but once they broke the half-court line, two Lion defenders would jump in front of the ball to cut off forward progress. The strategy’s success depended on Columbia’s quickness in initiating the press as well as the team’s ability to disrupt passing lanes and deny open shots.
A fast tempo has played to the Light Blue’s advantage all season. This weekend, the Lions kept the ball moving and were able to take control of the pace. They looked for the quick outlet and fast break opportunity, hoping for an easy score.
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gainst Brown, the Lions pushed the ball to the interior but passed up low-percentage shots inside to find the open look on the perimeter. Moving the ball quickly, Columbia found co-captain Katrina Cragg outside, and she responded with 15 points from beyond the arc.
When they took on Yale, the Lions looked to attack interior weakness since Yale’s big post player, Haywood Wright, was out with a torn ACL. The guards also looked to bring the ball up quickly and cut for a layup. Yee and junior Danielle Browne consistently broke through to the paint.
Lastly, the Lions were able to communicate well and help their chances. They efficiently switched on defense when a teammate asked for help and kept the whole team aware of changes in an opponent’s offense.
The Lions will look to continue their winning ways this weekend against Harvard and Dartmouth.
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