Yale Athletics

The Yale women’s basketball team (5–15, 2–5 Ivy) traveled to Philadelphia to continue conference play against the University of Pennsylvania (11–9, 3–4 Ivy).

Earlier in the week, the Bulldogs surrendered to Princeton (17–3, 7–0 Ivy), 59–79. Despite the loss, they looked to maintain their hopes at an Ivy tournament bid by defeating the Quakers. Penn, however, rolled into their home arena fresh off a decisive victory against Brown (13–7, 4–3 Ivy), 77–56. This game saw the two teams meet for the first time this season.

The first quarter began with quick, easy points for Penn, which jumped out to a 7-point lead early. Baskets by Nyla McGill ’25 and Grace Thybulle ’25 kept Yale at the heels of the Quakers, but they were unable to close the lead. The first quarter ended with Penn leading by nine, 22–13.

The second quarter found the Bulldogs slowly gaining traction. More jumpers, free-throws and three-pointers from usual suspects Jenna Clark ’24 and Kiley Capstraw ’26 allowed Yale to more than double their points from the first period. Most notably, Brenna McDonald ’24 burned through the Penn defense, leading second-quarter scoring with nine points. By the end of the half, the Bulldogs barely trailed the Quakers, 35–33.

After the half, a jumper by Capstraw immediately tied the game at 35. Though Penn sunk necessary shots, Yale fought to inch right back up to them. In a push-pull for points, Clark made crucial baskets to keep her team in the game. Finally, at 1:21, Mackenzie Egger ’25 hit a jumper that catapulted the Bulldogs ahead, securing their lead until the end of the quarter, 49–47.

The fourth quarter, though the last of the regular game, marked itself as the beginning of the action. For most of the quarter, the Quakers maintained a steady 5-point lead. However, nearing the finale, a McGill lay-up brought Yale within three. Everyone at the Palestra arena held their breath as Clark barrelled down the court, guarded heavily by Penn defenders. With no time remaining, Clark passed to Klara Aastroem ’24, who hit the crucial three-pointer needed to cling onto the game. As the buzzer sounded, the Bulldog bench erupted, celebrating the chance to continue to victory. 

Head coach Dalila Eshe told Yale Athletics that Astrom was confident in her ability to execute.

“Jenna saw Klara wide open out of the corner of her eye, in her peripheral vision,” she said. “She told me she knew she was going to make it.”

At first, points in overtime did not favor the Bulldogs, with two free throws putting the Blue and White in a two-point deficit. However, as soon as Clark hit her first jumper of the overtime, Yale held on to their lead the entire time. The game ended in fairy tale fashion, with McGill stealing the ball and holding onto it until time ran out, securing the win, 74–68. The Yale bench could not have been more ecstatic.

Coach Eshe told Yale Athletics that her team’s dogged persistence allowed them to succeed over Penn.

“The energy was incredible the entire game,” she said. “Our will to win and our desire to win was what won us this basketball game.”

Clark made 25 points, one point shy of her career-best. McDonald made 19 points, her season and career best, while McGill made 10 points. By most metrics, this was one of the Yale women’s basketball team’s best games.

The Bulldogs continue their venture on the road with a game against Cornell (7–12, 1–6 Ivy) at 2 p.m. this Friday, Feb. 10.