For the second consecutive season the Bowdoin women’s basketball team fell short in the Division III national title game. Kaela Saner scored 20 points to lead the way, as the Saints from Thomas More University put all five starters in double figures to finish off an undefeated season with an 81-67 over the Polar Bears at the Cregger Center in Salem, Virginia Saturday night.
Bowdoin trailed by five very early, but held a 19-16 after one quarter behind seven points from Hannah Graham. Abby Kelly drained a three in the second quarter to give the Polar Bears their biggest lead of the game 24-18. The Saints went on a 12-0 run to regain the lead 30-24, and led 38-34 at the half.
Shelby Rupp made a jumper with 6:13 left in the third quarter to cap an 11-2 run to give Thomas More the biggest lead to that point at 49-36. Bowdoin got back within five twice, and trailed by seven headed to the fourth quarter. The Saints increased the lead back to 10 early in the fourth, and Bowdoin could only get as close as eight the rest of the way. Thomas More led by as many as 18 in winning their third national title in five years.
Kelly led Bowdoin with 27 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Graham finished with 14 points, while Maddie Hasson had 12 points and six rebounds. Despite winning the turnover battle, with Thomas More committing 18 and Bowdoin 17, the Polar Bears were outscored 31-14 off those errors. Bowdoin finishes the season at 31-2. The Polar Bears lost the 2018 title game to Amherst. Along with the team high in points from Saner, the Saints were also led by Rupp and Madison Temple who had 17 points a piece. Rupp added 12 rebounds and four assists, while Temple added seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Emily Schultz had 14 points and five rebounds, while Brianna McNutt chipped in 11 points. Thomas More finishes 33-0. The Saints went 33-0 in both the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, capturing a national title in both years.
