BRYN MAWR, Pa. – The Bryn Mawr basketball team faced non-conference action Monday afternoon as they played the CCNY Beavers at home in the Owls' first game in honor of MLK Day. With leading scorer Jessica Smith out due to injury, the team looked to rally behind one another to pull off the win and end their 10-game losing streak. The Owls held the lead at the end of the first half, but CCNY quickly began to fight their way back in the third quarter. However, the collective effort from the team, along with two made three-pointers from Alanna Mora-Mickens and Hannah Govert in the last quarter lead the Owls to a 40-30 win.

Head Coach Carla Coleman said, "I knew that it would take everybody to get this win. I'm happy for them."

Members of the lacrosse team stood facing the entrance of the Class of 1958 Gymnasium to collect donations for the Owls' MLK Day of Service partner, Career Wardrobe and the bleachers quickly filled before the game's 1 PM start time. Before announcing the starting line-up, both teams held hands as the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" played over the loudspeaker to remember the meaning of and sacrifices made for this special day.

The Owls took an early lead, Alanna Mora-Mickens making the first made shot of the game within seconds of the first quarter. Although, the Beavers would make the next three baskets, Sydney Collins made a nice layup to tie the game. A combination of a made layups by Sena Kaper-Dale and Hannah Binder, along with made free throws by Binder resulted in an early six-point lead for the Owls. The first quarter wrapped with Bryn Mawr in the lead 10-4.

Bryn Mawr's offensive streak continued in the second quarter with the Owls adding 13 points to the scoreboard and finishing the first half in the lead for the first time since pre-conference competition. Both defenses held strong in the first minute of the quarter, but Govert finally broke through and scored a layup for the home team. Govert's shot woke up both offenses, and the team's soon traded points back and forth. However, Kris Pasia made a resounding layup that caused the Beaver's head coach to call a timeout. Returning from the timeout, Binder racked in her third layup of the game. The half ended with a 10-point lead for the Owls (23-13).

After the half, CCNY looked recharged and ready to minimize Bryn Mawr's lead by taking the first points of the third quarter. Beavers Joscelyn Ramos and Monae Laing each made a layup, and teammate Anna Vikatos made a three-point and two-point jump shot. The Beavers' pressure resulted in a mere one-point lead for the Owls. However, this pressure was short lived. After returning from a timeout, Govert made a jump shot. As the buzzer sounded to signal the end of the third quarter, Ella Kotsen made another jump shot for the Owls to give the home team a five-point lead and end the third quarter 27-22.

The Owls were not yet out of the woods, but it was clear that the excitement and cheering fans proved to be exactly what Bryn Mawr needed to add an additional 13 points to their score and earn the win. Govert opened the fourth quarter with an early made three-point jump shot. The next four shots were all made lay-ups split evenly amongst the two teams. After reentering the game, Mora-Mickens shot and made her second three-pointer of the season to bring the Owls score to 37-26. After Mora-Mickens shot, both teams struggled to find the basket until CCNY Kasia Morrison layed in a two-pointer. Teammate Leondra Craig would go on to make a jump shot, but this would turn out to be the Beavers last made basket of the game. In the remaining minute of the game, CCNY fouled nine times, all the while causing the clock to continuously stop. Thankfully, this did not phase Bryn Mawr. The Owls basketed three made free throws and end the game with a 10-point lead (40-30) to win their first game since the early season.

"The day was amazing," Coach Coleman said. "A lot of emotion, emotion for me. I'm nervous anyway before the start of a game, but this was different in many ways." Coleman continued, "The generosity of people; I don't think it sunk into me until the end of the game and I saw the boxes. For me, that's what it's all about."

The Owls will celebrate this win with their families and friends and return to the court on Wednesday evening for a 7 PM away game against Ursinus.

The entire Bryn Mawr Athletics Department thanks everyone for attending today's game and participating in the basketball team's day of service.