In their final home game of the season, Dartmouth women’s basketball team lost to the University of Pennsylvania 89-66. The senior night loss brings their record to 10-16 overall and 1-12 in the Ivy League, keeping the Big Green in last place in the conference.
Penn got off to a hot start, finishing the first quarter ahead 31-13. Dartmouth gave up seven 3-pointers and 12 fast-break points in the quarter. Shots were falling for the Quakers, who finished the quarter shooting 80% from the field. On the other hand, Dartmouth missed several scoring opportunities, including seven missed layups.
“They made their 3s, we missed layups,” head coach Linda Cimino said. “That was the difference.”
The second quarter was more even, as Penn scored 20 to the Big Green’s 19, bringing the halftime score to 51-32.
Cimino said that the team made several adjustments that helped improve their performance in the second quarter.
“We switched out of our zone and just played [man-to-man] the rest of the game, and I thought that helped a little bit,” Cimino said. “And then we settled down offensively and were able to score.”
The second half was also a more even matchup, but the Big Green were unable to close the gap created in the first quarter. The Quakers outscored Dartmouth 20-16 in the third quarter, but each team scored 18 in the fourth quarter to bring the final score to 89-66.
“If it wasn’t for that first quarter, it would have been a very competitive game for both of us,” Cimino said.
Guard Zeynep Ozel ’28 scored eight of the team’s 16 points in the third quarter and had an emphatic block at the end of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Big Green were able to capitalize on Penn’s mistakes, scoring eight points off of turnovers.
Dartmouth’s bench contributed 29 points throughout the game, led by forward Olivia Austin ’28, who had 11 points. Other contributors off the bench were guards Sierra Carson ’27 and Nina Minicozzi ’27, each with six points. On the other hand, Penn’s starters accounted for 81 of their 89 points.
“We definitely have a bigger bench this year so more people are able to contribute, and that’s been showing at our games recently,” Ozel said.
“It’s really great to have that depth,” forward Clare Meyer ’26 added.
Ozel led the team with 13 points, while guard Alexandra Eldredge ’27 and Austin each had 11. The team shot 26-for-59 from the field and 10-for-26 from behind the arc. The Big Green had 25 rebounds, eight of which were offensive rebounds.
For Penn, senior Simone Sawyer was 10-for-13 with 23 points to lead the Quakers in scoring. Cimino noted Sawyer’s strong performance.
“I was so impressed with the way she scored,” Cimino said. “We really struggled to defend her in that first quarter.”
However, Cimino was pleased with her team’s fight in the remaining quarters.
“I thought especially out of halftime, we came out defensively, and we got a few stops and were able to score and cut the lead,” Cimino said. “We never stopped fighting.”
The game was the team’s senior night, honoring each of the team’s three seniors, Olivia Lawlor ’26, Meyer and Brooke Hollawell ’26 for their contributions over the past four years.
Cimino was very complimentary of the graduating cohort.
“Each of them brings something different to our program, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them off the court as well,” Cimino said. “All three of them have been great leaders, and I think they’ve all had an impact on their teammates.”
Ozel also praised her senior teammates.
“Our seniors have been great leaders this year,” Ozel said. “I’m really sad for them to go.”
Meyer reflected on what the program has meant to her, saying that the team has played a large role in her Dartmouth experience. While she is sad to be coming to the end of her career, she said she is excited to continue supporting the team after graduation.
“There is so much talent in the classes below us … and so I’m really excited to keep watching them and see what they have to do in the future,” Meyer said.
The team faces Cornell in Ithaca, N.Y., on March 7 at 1 p.m. for their final Ivy League matchup. Since the Big Green will not make the Ivy League tournament, this game will also be the team’s last of the season.
Cimino is optimistic about the final game.
“I think we match up well with Cornell, and it’s going to be who wants it more,” Cimino said. “I’m excited that we get to play one more game and redeem ourselves from this weekend and try to end on a win.”
