CLINTON, NY —

The Amherst College women's basketball team earned their fifth straight win Saturday afternoon, holding off Hamilton College for a 61–56 road victory. While the Mammoths maintained a narrow edge for much of the contest, Hamilton kept the pressure on into the final minutes. Amherst answered with composed play and timely execution down the stretch to secure the win.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

• An unusual opening to the game set the tone early for the Mammoths, as Amherst scored the game's first point at the free-throw line after Hamilton was charged with a technical foul due to an issue with their court's shot-clock lights. Chase Anderson converted a layup on Amherst's next possession, but Hamilton quickly responded, and the teams traded baskets throughout the opening quarter. Neither side was able to pull away, and the quarter ended deadlocked at 10–10.

• In the first few minutes of the second quarter, the game stayed close. However, after a scoring drought in the middle of the quarter that lasted more than three minutes for both teams, the Mammoths found their rhythm. Layups and free throws from Annie McCarthy sparked the offense, and Brielle Renwick capped the quarter with a strong drive and finish just before the buzzer, sending Amherst into halftime with a 10-point advantage, 31–21.

• Hamilton made a push in the third quarter, narrowing the deficit by repeatedly getting to the free-throw line. Even after the Continentals went a perfect 15-for-15 from the foul line, Amherst maintained their lead and entered the fourth quarter ahead by six.

• In the fourth quarter, Amherst kept a small margin, but Hamilton trimmed the lead to just three with under a minute remaining. However, Renwick came up big again for the Mammoths on the offensive end, driving strong toward the basket and sneaking in a layup through traffic to restore a five-point lead with just 29 seconds left. 

• Hamilton answered shortly after with a basket at the other end, but were forced to foul. The foul sent Anna Tranum to the free-throw line, where she calmly knocked down two free throws. With too little time remaining for Hamilton to equalize, Amherst's defense closed out the final possession, securing the 61–56 victory.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• Annie McCarthy led the Mammoths with 16 points, followed by Elizabeth Cain with 10 points.

• Chase Anderson anchored the paint for Amherst, recording 11 rebounds and four blocks.

UP NEXT:

• With the win, Amherst moves to a 14–4 overall record (3–1 in NESCAC play).

• The Mammoths will head to Maine next weekend to face Colby College on Friday, January 30th, at 7 p.m.