LEWISTON, ME —

The Amherst College women's basketball team opened conference play on the road against Bates College on Friday night. Trailing for much of the contest, the Mammoths continued to compete and kept the game within reach into the final minutes, cutting the deficit to eight points with 1:15 remaining. Despite the late push, Amherst was unable to complete the comeback and fell to the Bobcats, 63–54, marking their first loss in NESCAC play and third loss of the season.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

• The game stayed close through the early minutes, with neither team able to create much separation, before Bates pulled ahead late in the first quarter to take a five-point lead.

• Amherst made a push to start the second quarter and cut the lead to one, but Bates answered by getting to the rim and the free-throw line, stretching the lead to ten points just before halftime.

• Bates pushed the lead to 15 early in the third, but Amherst did not let the game get away. The Mammoths stayed active defensively and continued to work for good looks, cutting into the deficit and heading into the fourth down 13 points.

• The urgency picked up in the final quarter. Amherst pressured the ball, forced turnovers, and looked to run in transition. Two three-pointers from Reagan Pahl with under four minutes remaining gave the Mammoths a lift and brought the game back within reach. Amherst kept pressing late and closed the gap to eight with just over a minute left, but Bates held on down the stretch to finish the game 63–54.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• Chase Anderson led all players with eight rebounds, including two offensive boards.

• Amherst showed strong defensive energy, especially in the second half, and finished with seven steals compared to Bates' five.

UP NEXT:

• With the loss, Amherst falls to a 9–3 overall record (0–1 in NESCAC play).

• The Mammoths will travel to New London, Connecticut, on Tuesday, January 13, to face the United States Coast Guard Academy at 7 p.m.