On January 6, Bellarmine University’s women’s basketball team showcased their tenacity by overcoming Central Arkansas with a final score of 68-60, resulting in their first conference win this season. The pivotal moment came from freshman Anna Rodgers, whose first career field goal—a go-ahead three-pointer—sparked the Knights' 27-point fourth quarter, effectively dismantling Central Arkansas’ defense.
Senior Skylar Treadwell had another stellar performance, contributing significantly with 14 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks. Senior Hope Sivori led the Knights with 16 points and added seven rebounds, demonstrating the depth of character within the team.
"It was her first career field goal and prompted a joyous smile from Rodgers and excited congratulatory shove from Brown," noted the Bellarmine athletics team, highlighting the jubilant atmosphere within Knights Hall, Louisville, KY.
Meanwhile, on January 4, Brown University faced off against Dartmouth, where they fell short, losing 48-64. Junior forward Alyssa Moreland was the leading scorer for the Bears with 13 points and nine rebounds. Brown struggled to find their rhythm early, trailing 17-9 at the end of the first quarter.
The Bears managed to tighten the score by halftime, trailing by just two points (27-25), showing promise for a potential comeback. Yet, the second half proved challenging. Brown only managed to score seven points during the third quarter, allowing Dartmouth to extend their lead and secure the victory. "The Bears tried to rally in the final quarter, but came up short against the Big Green," reported the Brown University Sports Foundation.
Adding to the excitement of the day, James Madison University’s men’s basketball team staged their own comeback, defeating Arkansas State 67-62. The Dukes found themselves down by as many as 13 points during the first half, trailing 39-26. A strong second-half performance was key to their victory, driven by Xavier Brown’s 18 points and Elijah Hutchins-Everett’s 17 points, both shooting over 50% from the field.
After halftime adjustments, James Madison executed strategic plays effectively, including a significant 10-point scoring run. "I really thought we battled and found ways to get back on track for the second half,” reflected James Madison’s coach following the match. This win snapped Arkansas State’s six-game winning streak and underscored James Madison's resilience and determination as they improved their record to 9-6, 2-1 SBC.
All three games on January 6 demonstrated the competitive spirit inherent to college basketball. With Bellarmine establishing itself as formidable with their late-game heroics, Brown reflecting on lessons learned from their Ivy League opener, and James Madison celebrating their comeback win, the stage is now set for more thrilling matchups. The performances highlight how pivotal each game is as teams vie for position within their respective conferences.
Looking toward the future, each team has upcoming challenges. Bellarmine will continue their ASUN road trip on January 10 at Queens, Brown will host the Yale Bulldogs on January 11, and James Madison is set to face Marshall on the same day, both teams eager to build on their latest performances. With the season well underway, the intensity of competition promises even more excitement for college basketball fans.