The Student News Site of Simmons University

The Simmons Voice

The Student News Site of Simmons University

The Simmons Voice

The Student News Site of Simmons University

The Simmons Voice

Sharks fall to Mariners in season opener

By Kate Joseph
Staff Writer

 

Simmons Basketball opened their season this weekend with two losses after facing the Mass Maritime Mariners on Friday and the Bates Bobcats on Saturday.

Both games were a part of the Mariner Pepsi Challenge at Mass Maritime Academy.

In round one, the Sharks fell to the Mariners 56-50.

Simmons kicked off the game by leading the scoreboard 21-15 within the first nine minutes thanks to Jen Janiak, Leah Davis, and Liz Brasa.

“We looked for the best shots on offense and ran our sets,” said Janiak. “I felt that I got a lot of open shots off due to the screens that were set by the forwards.”

The score tied up twice in the first half, but by halftime Mass Maritime took the lead 29-27.

By the second half the Mariners lead the game 44-36, but the Sharks managed to nearly close the gap by sinking five straight points.

After two free throws by Janiak the score was 52-50, but the Mariners strengthened their lead to bring the final score to 56-50.

Janiak was the lead scorer of the game with 17 points for Simmons while Brasa scored 11 and Kim Hixon earned 10 for the team.

“This year’s season opener last Friday went really well, aside from the loss,” said Davis. “Out of my four years here playing for Simmons, that was definitely the best first game we’ve ever played as a team. Even with half of our team being freshmen, they have already come a long way since October 15.”

On Saturday, the Sharks faced the Bobcats in the consolation game.

Bates took a 13-point lead before Simmons got on the scoreboard. The Bobcats maintained their lead for the remainder of the game, where the Sharks were never less than 11 points behind.

By halftime the score was 40-21 with Bates nearly doubling Simmons’s points.

In the second half, the Bobcats advanced further, their largest lead, 77-44, with less than five minutes remaining.

Standout players in the game included Jamie Zoldy who scored 10 points and Hannah May, who added seven points and five rebounds.

“We executed our plays and shared the ball, allowing us to get a lot of scoring opportunities,” said Brasa. “Even though we lost, we hustled and played hard the entire game. It was a great game to start the season with.”

“I would like to improve on my driving game because that will open up more opportunities for outside shots,” said Janiak. “The team is preparing for the rest of the season one day at a time. Our goal is ‘stronger than yesterday.’ Every day we step on the court we want to become better.”

Head Coach Kristen Rasmussen Tarr is confident in her team and captains Davis, May and Desh Perera.

“Our team is very excited and ready to start the season,” said Coach Tarr. “We are very young, with 12 underclassmen, however, we are determined to make this year one of the best for Simmons Basketball.”

The Sharks hit the court again at Simmons on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. where they will face the Wheelock Wildcats.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All The Simmons Voice Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *