BABSON PARK, Mass. -- Babson College head coach Judy Blinstrub became just the 28th coach in NCAA Division III Women's Basketball history to win 400 career games as her team defeated visiting Bridgewater State College, 64-59, in a non-conference matchup at Staake Gymnasium on Thursday night. It was the fourth straight victory for the Beavers (4-1), while the Bears (3-2) saw their three-game win streak come to a halt.
A Bridgewater State alumna and member of the Bears' Athletics Hall of Fame, Blinstrub's victory over her alma mater improved her career record to 400-241 (.624) in 25 seasons at the helm of the Babson women's basketball program. She is only the 21st active coach to reach the 400-win mark, and with 200 victories in her former role as Babson's head women's soccer coach, she is the only women's coach in NCAA history (Division I, II, or III) to win 400 basketball and 200 soccer games in her career.
Leading by just one at the break, 31-30, Babson surged to victory with a dominating defensive performance in the second half. Led by first-year Kathleen King (Framingham, Mass.), who collected 12 of her game-high 16 rebounds in the final 20 minutes, the Beavers limited Bridgewater State to just 19 points on 7-of-33 shooting in the period while forcing 14 turnovers. Meanwhile, six different players scored during a pivotal 16-4 run early in the half that turned a 31-31 tie into a 47-35 Babson advantage. The Beavers' lead would eventually balloon to as many as 18 on their way to the 64-49 victory.
For the second time this season, King and fellow first-year Nicole Wurdeman (Rowley, Mass.) each recorded double-doubles for Babson. King finished with 19 points and 16 boards while shooting 8-for-12 from the field, while Wurdeman recovered from early foul trouble to finish with 12 points and 10 rebounds. First-year Michelle Kenel (Rockaway Beach, N.Y.) added an outstanding performance off the bench for the Beavers, as she netted eight points on 4-of-8 shooting while grabbing five rebounds in 16 minutes of action. Junior Becky Bowman (Melrose, Mass.) chipped in with 10 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals, and sophomore Renay Hamilton (Lynn, Mass.) contributed seven points and five caroms.
Bridgewater State was led by sophomore Carolyn Swanson (Stoughton, Mass.), who shot 6-for-11 from the field to finish with 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals, and first-year Stephanie Houtman (New Bedford, Mass.), who added nine points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Sophomore Corey Cuddihy (Scituate, Mass.) tossed in 13 points for the Bears, and junior Michaela Johnson (Riverside, R.I.) contributed four assists and three steals off the bench.