GREENSBORO, N.C. – In a tightly contested battle on Jack Jenson Court inside the Ragan-Brown Field House, the Guilford College women's basketball team fell 65-59 to nationally recognized Bridgewater College on Saturday evening.
This primetime matchup marked the 66th meeting between the Quakers and the Eagles. Bridgewater inched closer to a .500 record in the all-time series, now standing at 33-31. Guilford dropped to an 11-5 record overall and 5-3 in the ODAC, while Bridgewater remained undefeated in conference play, improving to 15-1 overall and 8-0 in the ODAC.
Guilford was led by
Zoe Bayer (Les Sables d'Olonne, France), who tallied 16 points on 5-12 shooting and 5-7 from the free-throw line.
Courtney McMillan (Lexington, N.C.) added 11 points, five rebounds, and three steals while anchoring the Quakers' interior defense.
Taylor Dunn (Charlotte, N.C.) contributed seven points, including a three-pointer, and
Julianna Walter (Taylorsville, N.C.) chipped in with four points, four steals, and three assists.
For Bridgewater, Jay Garcia led the way with 16 points and eight rebounds. Alsberry added 12 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks, while Riley Corcoran chipped in 13 points and two steals. The Eagles' 79.2% shooting from the free-throw line proved crucial in the close contest.
The game opened as a defensive struggle, with both teams struggling to establish offensive rhythm. Bridgewater struck first with a pair of free throws from India Daily. Guilford responded with fast-break baskets from Walter and McMillan, combining for six early points. Despite forcing turnovers, the Quakers struggled with shooting efficiency, finishing 4-15 from the field and 0-5 from beyond the arc in the opening quarter. At the end of the first, Bridgewater held a slim 13-10 advantage.
Bridgewater extended its lead in the second quarter with a balanced offensive attack led by Garcia, who scored four points in the paint and grabbed key rebounds to create second-chance opportunities. The Eagles' defensive pressure disrupted Guilford's ball movement, forcing turnovers and limiting scoring chances. McMillan and Dunn provided sparks for the Quakers, with Dunn knocking down a much-needed three-pointer to keep the deficit manageable. However, Bridgewater's consistency at the free-throw line allowed them to outscore Guilford 17-13 in the period, taking a 30-23 lead into halftime.
The Quakers emerged from halftime with renewed energy.
Carliegh Perry (Faith, N.C) opened the third quarter with a crucial three-pointer to ignite Guilford's offense. McMillan continued to assert herself in the paint, while Bayer hit another three-pointer to bring the Quakers within six points. Despite Guilford's efforts, Bridgewater maintained their composure, with Garcia and Alsberry combining for key baskets to keep the Eagles ahead. The Quakers' fight was evident, but they entered the final frame trailing 47-37.
The fourth quarter was a thrilling back-and-forth affair. Guilford's defense intensified, forcing multiple turnovers that Walter and
Briahna Scott (Graham, N.C.) converted into fast-break points. Bayer's clutch scoring and McMillan's hustle on the boards brought the Quakers within two points, 57-55, with under a minute remaining. However, the game took a dramatic turn in the final 45 seconds. A shooting foul sent Bridgewater to the free-throw line, and a subsequent technical foul against Guilford led to four free throws for the Eagles. Bridgewater converted all four and retained possession, effectively sealing the game with a widened margin of 63-55.
Guilford will hit the road to face Roanoke College on Wednesday, January 22, in Salem, Virginia. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
#GoQuakes
