Turn Back the Clock: Feb. 1, 2005

Penn women's basketball survives double overtime thriller against Princeton, 61-59

Feb. 1, 2005

In a nail-biter characterized by intensity, Penn women's basketball escaped Jadwin Gym after Princeton freshman Meagan Cowher (daughter of Bill Cowher) clanged two straight free throw attempts late to help give the win to the Quakers.

The game was tight throughout, with neither team able to seize more than an eight point lead. The Quakers struggled inside, but the Tigers still led by just five at halftime. The contest was knotted up at 51 at the end of regulation, and when end of the first overtime ended in a 55-55 tie, an additional five minutes were needed to determine which squad would leave Jadwin Gym with bragging rights.

In the end, it was the emotional toughness of the Quakers, as well as some timely shooting from beyond the arc, that helped Penn improve its record to 10-6 on the season, and sealed a 3-0 start in Ivy League play.

Penn senior Karen Habrukowich scored 21 points, and made five clutch three-pointers. Senior Cat Makarewich and sophomore Joey Rhoads each made three three-pointers for the Quakers, and ended the game in double figures.

Both teams committed too many unnecessary fouls as exhaustion and intensity mounted. While the Tigers limited Penn to 35 percent shooting inside the arc and kept center Jennifer Fleischer scoreless, they also were whistled for 16 personal fouls.

The Quakers were also called for 22 fouls. Starting forward Monica Naltner was limited to 28 minutes, and fouled out of the game in overtime.

Though the game was sloppy, the Quakers prevailed. Exactly three weeks later, Penn defeated Princeton again, this time at the Palestra. The team finished 8-6 in the Ivy League that season.