The Yale women’s basketball team returned five players who scored 10 or more points in a game last season, along with its top four scorers and rebounders. There was reason for optimism coming off of a 13-14 season which included 7-7 in Ivy play.
But the Bulldogs have opened up the season 3-10.
Even so, Yale’s on a one-game winning streak after finally putting together 40 minutes of solid basketball Saturday at John J. Lee Amphitheater with a 72-48 wire-to-wire win over in-state rival Quinnipiac.
The Elis went on a 9-4 run culminating in a junior forward Brenna McDonald lay-in to lead 19-14 at the end of the first quarter.
The domination continued in the second stanza, as Yale scored the first sox points and led 40-25 at the half.
Quinnipiac got no closer than 13 points in the second half.
“From the beginning to the end we played with incredible energy,” Yale coach Dalila Eshe said. “We finally put four quarters together. Our biggest challenge now is continuing the momentum into Ivy League play. We’ve got a very good basketball team when we play with discipline.”
McDonald led Yale with 16 points and nine rebounds. She was an efficient 7-for-11 from the field. Sophomore guard Kiley Capstraw added 15 points.
Junior forward Grace LaBarge led Quinnipiac (4-6) with 10 points.
Yale opens Ivy play Sat., Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. at Harvard.