Courtesy of Yale Athletics

This past Saturday, the Yale women’s basketball team (0–2, 0–0 Ivy) set out to play the Saint Joseph’s University team (2–0, 0–0 A10) at home at the John J. Lee Amphitheater inside the Payne Whitney Gymnasium. 

Despite a tough fight, the Blue and White fell 66–45 to the Hawks in their second game of the season.

The Bulldogs returned home after traveling to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to play their season opener last week on Nov. 7. Despite a hard-fought battle, the Bulldogs lost to the Panthers. However, the Bulldogs only lost by five points, showing promise as returning point guard and team captain Jenna Clark ’24 put up 19 points alongside Kiley Capstraw ’26, who put up 15 points with five rebounds.

Capstraw told the News she was excited to play Saint Joseph’s at home after being away at Pitt.

“We were definitely excited to get on our home court and play after completing the preseason,” Capstraw said.

At home, the Bulldogs looked to best the Hawks, who recently beat Rider University handily, 71–49. In order to succeed against Saint Joseph’s, the Bulldogs would need to stop a key part of the Hawks’ game, junior forward Talya Brugler. Brugler, who put up 22 points against the Rider Broncs, was named to the 2022-23 Atlantic 10 First Team All-Conference team and has the sixth highest field goal percentage in program history at .518. Sophomore Laura Ziegler for the Hawks was named the 2022-23 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year and followed quickly behind Brugler, scoring 19 points in their game against Rider. 

Another important piece for the Bulldogs would be limiting fouls. In the game against Pitt, both Clark and Capstraw were forced to the bench in the second quarter when they each reached three fouls early in the game. Though the bench for the Blue and White proved helpful, the Panthers quickly entered the bonus and had more opportunities for free baskets. Limiting these extra points would be crucial in helping the Bulldogs to succeed. 

The beginning of the game was notable, not just for the velveted Hawks mascot who flapped its wings continually but for the aggression shown on both sides.

The first period began with possession by the Bulldogs, who controlled the ball but failed to score. Brenna McDonald ’24 remained consistent at post, continually grabbing rebounds for the team. The first points for the Bulldogs came as a Clark three-pointer, followed after by a Grace Thybulle ’25 layup. The defense for the Bulldogs looked strong, which forced a low-scoring game, but a lack of offensive production kept them trailing in the first period. However, off an assist from Clark, Thybulle drove to the basket to tie the game 14–14.

Foul trouble started to seep into the second period. Mackenzie Egger ’25 was quickly substituted after reaching three fouls with 5:10 left in the second, while Clark found herself in similar trouble with two. 

This trouble allowed the Hawks to regain the lead when Emma Boslet sank two free throws, making the score 19–18.

The Bulldogs excelled in communication in the first half. Clark was crucial in directing the team. Further, more rebounds from McDonald and Nyla McGill ’25 were critical in retaining possession of the ball. Throughout the first half, the Blue and White showed the same fight against Saint Joseph’s that they did against Pitt. This often led to over-aggression on both sides, with Clark getting hit in the eye and a Hawks player being knocked to the ground on multiple occasions.

There were clear differences in the game plan between Yale and Saint Joseph’s. The Bulldogs often ate time away, waiting for one another to move into position before deciding where to pass the ball. Though this sometimes led to the combative Hawks stealing the ball, there was an overall calm and collected display put on by the Blue and White. This continued their excellent communication. 

The Hawks consistently drove to the basket, displaying their ball-handling skills relying little on just one player, making efficient use of their time in possession. However, this usual aggression was met with the tenacity of the Bulldogs defense, unfazed by different picks set by the Hawks. 

The second ended with Saint Joseph’s leading 25–22.

After halftime, game plans switched for each team. The Hawks sought more threes, while the Bulldogs turned up their aggression to try to beat the clock and close the lead. Good communication continued between Clark and Christen McCann ’25 with an assist from the former leading to a successful layup. However, turnovers on steals and travels gave free possession to the opponent, who often capitalized. 

The usual suspects for the Hawks did not show up, but Mackenzie Smith and Chloe Welch did, who combined for 50 points against the Bulldogs. 

This total grew in the fourth, when Yale was forced to foul players to stop the clock. As Saint Joseph’s entered into the bonus, which allowed them to step to the free throw line on every foul, it became clear that free throws were not their weakness. In the fourth, the Hawks sank 15 points off free throws alone. Through a tough press by the Hawks defense, Capstraw battled, scoring four points in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs were unable to squelch the lead and fell to Saint Joseph’s 66–45.

Capstraw told the News where the team excelled against Saint Joseph’s and what they can improve on for their next game against Boston University.

“I think we played hard and crashed the offensive boards very well,” Capstraw said. “I think we can be disciplined, practice hard and stay focused on our overall goal in these next few games.”

The Bulldogs take on the Boston University Terriers inside Case Gymnasium in Boston on Tuesday, Nov. 14.