The women's basketball team is off to the best start in the 26-year history of the sport at Union. Sixth-year head coach Mary Ellen Burt has her high-flying Dutchwomen sporting an 8-2 overall record, a 1-0 Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association mark and a 4-0 standard within the Eastern Region of the NCAA.
Union's latest conquest was a 45-42 decision over homestanding Skidmore in the UCAA opener. Up by 10 at the half, 27-17, the Dutchwomen withstood a 16-0 Skidmore run over a 12:41 period in the second half to pull out the victory. Junior Heather Bennett (Westwood, MA/Westwood) snapped Union's drought with a basket off a rebound at 7:19 before classmate Katie Smith (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem) gave Union the lead for good with a jumper from the left wing with 44 seconds remaining.
“We have a veteran club and one of the marks of a veteran club is the ability to withstand adversity,” said Burt. “We couldn't buy a basket during the second half, but we didn't get down on ourselves, we didn't quit and we pulled out the win.”
Things looked bleak for the Dutchwomen in the second half when a layup attempt sat on the back of the iron for three or more seconds before slowly rolling off the rim. The ball was rebounded by Skidmore, which went the length of the court and scored.
“In the past,” said Burt, “we would have packed it in. Not this team, not this year.”
Senior forward Beth Perry (Bliss, NY/Lechworth) pulled down a couple of key rebounds and junior forward Meredith Chace (Westwood, MA/Westwood) made a diving recovery of a loose ball keeping Union close until the scoreless jinx could be broken by Bennett.
“If ever there was a team effort, this was it,” said Burt. “We got solid defensive play from everyone on the court (Skidmore finished the game with 23 turnovers…15 of which were due to Union steals…and shot just 18 of 48 (.37.5%) from the field) and our bench provided us with quality minutes. Even those players who did not get into the contest provided encouragement for those who were.”
The Dutchwomen continue their impressive season at home on Friday and Saturday (Jan. 12 and 13) against UCAA rivals Clarkson and St. Lawrence.