UNH Locks Out Women Cagers, 73-46

I won't say we were outclassed, but if we played UNH 10 times they'd beat us at least nine times," said Harvard women's basketball Co-Captain Nancy Boutilier after the University of New Hampshire trounced the Crimson 73-46 last night at Briggs Cage.

And Harvard Coach Kathy Delaney-Smith was equally impressed by the visitors. "It was a program just starting out playing a very developed program. We're about seven years behind New Hampshire," she said.

But if matters were really so hopeless, why did the Wildcats only manage to outscore the Crimson by four during the entire second half? Or how did the cagers manage to out-rebound such fearsome foes during the same 20 minutes?

The problem for Harvard was mostly UNH's backcourt, which featured a pair of twins both of whom are potential All-American guards.

"They can steal they can shoot, they can drive, they can do it all," said Coach Delaney-Smith.

During the first half, the Crimson did more to help the Wildcats' reputation than challenge it. "We were very intimidated," said senior Val Jordan. During the first half, the cagers shot only .321 percent from the floor, and committed a number of turnovers. The mistakes allowed the Wildcats to build up a huge advantage in the early going.

The second half was, have you heard it before, a different ball game. Boutilier and Jordan, both playing their last home games at Harvard, spent more time on the court and each had a couple of outstanding moments.

Jordan converted two very sharp-looking drives to the basket, scoring and drawing UNH fouls. Boutilier literally put her confused opponent on the floor with two quick fakes that she followed with an easy score.

Almost everyone got to play, and Coach Delaney-Smith said that some of the bench played a little better than the starters. Delaney Smith singled out Carol Greene, Trisha Brown, and Anne Geiger for playing "real strong." Delaney-Smith ran through an unusual number of substitutions during the game, "trying to get some chemistry," she said.

Delaney-Smith said that Bontiher tinished with a strong second half, and that Jordan "played an exceptional last game."

With her eight points Boutilier brought herself within five points of setting a new single season scoring record. The senior guard now has 301 points and needs 306 to tic Elatine Holpach's mark.

At Cornell tomorrow, the cagers will try for their fourth victory of the year and their second at the expense of the Big Red. "It's a different level of basketball, and if we play well, we'll have every chance of winning," Boutilier said. "I think everyone will be just as excited as if it's championship game."

At Briggs Athletic Center

UNH (73)--Kelly Butterfield 2-3-7; Gail Jackson 10-0-20; Corinne Guiss 7-2-16; Jenniter Asueliet 2-2-6; Christine Guise 6-0-12; Kathy Shocey 2-0-4; Terri Crote 1-2-4; Denise Darting 0-2-2; Etten Griffitn 1-0-2.

Harvard (46)--Wendy Joseph 5-0-10; Valjordan 3-0-6; Anna Collins 2-0-4; Anthe Kelly 0-0-0; Nancy Boutilier 4-0-8; Erin Sugrue 3-0-6; Gina Barkelly McBridge 0-0-0; Garot Greens 0-0-0.

Halftime: 42-19, UNH

Art: 100