Box Score Simpson Scores Game-High 24, Sarju Adds 17
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – It was a memorable night in the Lee Amphitheater for more than one reason on Saturday. Not only was the Class of 2016 celebrated before the game, but the Yale women's basketball team accomplished something it had only done one other time this season: earn a three-game winning streak.
The Bulldogs (14-17, 5-9 Ivy) finished the 2015-16 season in style with a dominant 67-49 win over Columbia on a night where seniors Whitney Wyckoff, Nyasha Sarju, Emmy Allen and Meredith Boardman were all recognized for their outstanding contributions to the Yale program.
What better way for the four members of the senior class to finish their Yale careers than with an 18-point win at home, in front of family and friends. With the win, the Elis finish the season strongly, riding a three-game winning streak.
"I am so proud of this team, and especially proud of the four seniors for their leadership. They put their blood, sweat and tears into this program," said Joel E. Smilow '54 head coach Allison Guth. "They represented Yale in the most beautiful of lights."
It was sophomore guard Tamara Simpson (North Babylon, N.Y.) leading the way for the Bulldogs with a game-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field. Sarju (Seattle, Wash.) added 17, including 8-of-8 from the free throw line, in her final game.
It was Simpson's fourth game with 20 or more points this season, while it was Sarju's 25th game in double-figures. The duo combined to provide most of Yale's offensive efforts all season long, finishing as the team's two top scorers.
"What amazing playmakers. We draw up sets for them, but as many sets as you draw up as a coach, you need a player to execute it," said Guth. "Simpson is brilliant off screens and Sarju can score in multiple facets."
For the second straight night, the Elis suffocated their opponent with pressure defense – holding Columbia to 35.6-percent shooting from the field. The Lions turned the ball over 20 times, resulting in 30 points-off-turnovers for the Bulldogs.
Columbia leading scorer Camille Zimmerman was held to four points on 2-of-3 shooting, just one night after Yale held Cornell's Nia Marshall, the Ivy League's leading scorer, to eight points on Friday.
"We kept the defensive plan the same as the first meeting, because we felt we just didn't execute it then," said Guth. "We worked on our transition defense and Whitney did an amazing job guarding Zimmerman."
Simpson added six rebounds and three steals to her stat line, while Allen (Overland Park, Kan.) came up with three blocks to keep the Lions away from the hoop. Wyckoff had six points and five rebounds in her final game at Yale.
The Bulldogs exploded in the second half after taking a 29-23 lead into halftime – outscoring Columbia, 21-12, in the third quarter. Sarju dazzled with nine points in the period, after being held to two in the first half.
Yale did not ease up in the fourth quarter, remaining stout on defense and never letting the Lions to get within 13 points of its lead. The Bulldogs shot 52.6-percent from the field as a team in the second half, including 16-of-21 from the charity stripe.
Boardman (Oak Park, Ill.) made her first start of the season to be honored as one of the four senior players. In a classy gesture, Boardman, who sat out the season due to injury, fouled a Columbia player on the first play and received a standing ovation as she was subbed-out of the game.
"These seniors have left an indelible mark on the program we are building here at Yale," said Guth. "They bought-in to the staff and the team all season, through the highs and lows. How lucky am I? I'm honored to coach them."
The Bulldogs finished the season on a three-game winning streak, something they haven't had since a three-game span back in November. Their 14-17, 5-9 Ivy record is good for sixth place in the Ivy League.
Filed by Steve Lewis, Yale Sports Publicity
