As the second semester gets underway, the Yellowjackets’ basketball season is reaching its halfway point, where each team looks to earn a spot in the tournament and a chance to win it all. Both teams are returning home after a quick three-game road trip to begin conference play. Women’s basketball now sits on top of the the conference standings, while the men’s team looks to move up in the standings while sitting fifth in the University Athletic Association (UAA).
The women’s team has played fantastic basketball thus far. The team is 13–1 and is boasting an impressive scoring margin of 14.6 points per game over their opponents. The team is absolutely on fire in the midst of an eight-game winning streak, blowing past all of its opponents with ease. The team is led by sophomore Alexandra Leslie, nearly averaging a double-double with 16.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game; Brynn Lauer, assisting on 3.8 baskets per game; and Lauren Deming, scoring 8.9 points and grabbing 5.5 boards per game as well. Over break, the team went 6–0, getting off to a 3–0 start in UAA conference play.
Over break, the team won two games in blowout fashion, outscoring their opponents by twenty points or more. They outscored Ramapo College 67–46, led by junior guard Sarah Kaminsky’s 12 points and a career high of 16 points for sophomore forward Jillian Silvestri. The ‘Jackets also beat Brandeis University 63–40, led by Alexandra Leslie (16–8) and Lauren Deming (13–4). The Yellowjackets play their next game against Case Western Reserve University this Friday in the Palestra.
The men’s basketball team has slowed to a 8–6 record after getting off to a 6–2 start. Jared Seltzer, scoring 17.4 points and grabbing 8.6 boards per game, and Sam Borst-Smith, putting up 16.1 points, dishing 4.3 assists, and stealing the ball 2.2 times per game, have shouldered the team’s offense while also leading the team in minutes played. Players such as junior Mack Montague and sophomore Tucker Knox have helped spread the floor with their three-point shooting. Over the break, the team played four games and split them 2-2. The latter three were the openings of conference play, and the ‘Jackets went 1–2 on their trip. Although the Yellowjackets dropped two games, they played with intensity and competed against formidable opponents. Montague scored a career-high 23 points and made a career-high seven 3-pointers in a 78–75 loss to Emory University.
The men proceeded to stomp Brandeis University 77–53 and ended the game with four players in double digits, including 18 points from Borst-Smith. Against a 12–1 New York University team playing great basketball, the Yellowjackets shot abysmally from the floor, converting 32 percent of their field goal attempts, but managed to keep the game within 10 points. The team is looking to gain ground on teams above them in the conference as they sit tied for fifth.
Both squads play their next game this Friday against the Case Western Reserve University Spartans, so be sure to mark your calendars.
