An inch. Maybe two.
Columbia's last second shot to win the game had clanked off of the back of the rim as the buzzer sounded, giving Dartmouth (6-7, 1-2 Ivy) their first Ivy league victory of the season.
That was the difference in the women's basketball team's 66-64 overtime victory over Columbia on Saturday night. The game was also significant for Sally Annis '97, who scored her 1000th point of her Dartmouth career. Annis is only the eighth player in team history to reach the milestone.
The weekend wasn't a total success, however, as the team dropped Friday night's game against Cornell 68-60.
A split on arguably the toughest road trip of the season isn't something to sob over. In fact, the win over Columbia marked the end to a four game skid, but the team's high expectations weren't met.
The turning point of the Cornell game came just five minutes into the first half, when Dartmouth's six point lead turned into a 17 point deficit in just 12 minutes. At the close of the half, Cornell led 40-26.
Cornell's lead swelled to 19 midway through the second half, but Dartmouth slowly chipped away at it, getting it down to eight with four minutes to play. But the team just couldn't close the remaining gap.
Annis led the Big Green with 15 points, and Bess Tortolani '98 pulled down 11 rebounds.
Banghart described the bus ride to New York City, "The trip to Columbia after the game was long and quiet, but it allowed us some good time to think.
The fire returned to the team for Saturday night's matchup.
"Although we lost to Cornell, we put up a good fight in the end, and that emotion lasted through for our game against Columbia," said Tortolani.
Coming through in the clutch for Dartmouth was Nicci Rinaldi '99, who sank a two and added a free throw with just 23 seconds remaining in overtime to push Dartmouth's lead to five.
Rinaldi's points were crucial, as with six seconds left Columbia's Erin Roller drained a three. Coming out of a timeout, a loose ball was scooped up by Roller, who set up for a game winning three, firing a brick that kicked off the rim for a Dartmouth victory.
"The win against Columbia was huge!" said Banghart, who contributed 10 points in just 12 minutes, including two treys.
Tortolani led the scoring for the Big Green with 16 points, while Erin Rewalt '99 recorded a double-double, with 13 boards and 10 points.
Up next for the team is a game at Siena this Wednesday, before closing the season with 11 straight Ivy league contests.
"This team has alot of heart and courage," said Banghart, "The Ivies are tough, and every game is a big game."
