February 16, 2011
Bodur Scores 1,000th Career Point In Special WBCA Pink Zone Game Victory Over Bryn Mawr
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - It was a special night at Tarble Pavilion in more ways than one.
In a touching display of sportsmanship from both teams during the Garnet's annual Pink Zone game to promote breast cancer awareness, senior Ceylan Bodur scored an uncontested lay-up following the tip-off to become just the eighth player in program history to reach the 1,000-point plateau, highlighting the Swarthmore College women's basketball team's 73-44 victory over Bryn Mawr on Wednesday evening.
Following Bodur's layup, Bryn Mawr's Callie Jensen followed with an uncontested lay-up to make the score 2-2 with 19:43 on the clock. Swarthmore then proceeded to call a timeout, subbing out its four senior starters, who walked hand-in-hand with Bodur off the court.
Bodur entered today's game with 999 career points. She suffered a career-ending knee injury on January 29 in a victory over Gettysburg.
"I'm really glad that I got to step on the court one last time and finish my career at Swarthmore on such a positive note," said Bodur. "I also really want to thank Bryn Mawr and my coach for making this possible."
Giving even more meaning to the already special game was the fact that Rebecca Chopp, president of Swarthmore College and Jane McAuliff, president of Bryn Mawr College, served as honorary coaches for their respective schools to show their joint support in promoting breast cancer awareness.
"This was a great opportunity to support our teams and also raise awareness for breast cancer," said Swarthmore College President Rebecca Chopp.
Chopp and McAuliff sat on the benches of the their respective schools for the entire game and took part in a halftime ceremony that honored those affected by breast cancer.
Following the uncontested baskets from each team, the Owls (0-23, 0-18) scored the next five points to race to a 7-2 lead. But it was all Garnet (14-10, 10-9) from that point on, as Swat built a 22-point first half lead and never turned back en route to the big win.
Senior Kathryn Stockbower, playing her final game at Tarble Pavilion, led the way with the 82nd double-double of her record-breaking career with a 16-point, 14-rebound performance. With her 16 points, Stockbower passes Katie Robinson '04 to move into third place in all-time scoring at Swarthmore (1,657). Stockbower is the all-time NCAA Division III leader in career double-doubles.
A balanced scoring attack led the Garnet to the win, as 13 of 15 players found the basket. Junior Genny Pezzola and freshman Katie Lytle each finished with nine points.
The Garnet's win coupled with Franklin & Marshall's loss to Johns Hopkins means that Swarthmore's playoff hopes are still alive. A Garnet win at rival Haverford and an F&M loss to Dickinson on Saturday would send Swat to the Centennial Conference playoffs for the first time since 2005.
As part of the Pink Zone promotion, fans pledged to donate money for every three-pointer made by the Garnet. Swarthmore finished the game with 12 three-pointers, led by three from Pezzola.
At halftime, members of Garnet and President Chopp read dedication cards from fans at the game to honor those affected by breast cancer.
Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, and Haverford Colleges are members of the Tri-College Consortium, which allows the students of each institution enroll in courses at all three schools and take advantage of combined, online library catalogues and borrowing privileges.
Swarthmore travels to rival Haverford on Saturday in a game that will help determine its playoff fate. Action is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m.
