Yale Athletics

The Yale women’s basketball team (1–0, 0–0 Ivy) began their season on Monday, Nov. 4 against Monmouth (0–1, 0–0 CAA) in a nail-biting finish.

Historically, the Bulldogs have won every matchup against the Monmouth Hawks; three in the past 11 years.

With four new first-years and a Wisconsin transfer, plus the returning key players of Grace Thybulle ’25 and Kiley Capstraw ’26, Head Coach Dalila Eshe’s team prepared themselves for another exciting year on the court. 

Avery Lee ’25 told the News that the energy was high going into their season opener.

“Our team looks a lot different from the past and we were really excited to showcase all of our hard work and the chemistry we built this pre-season,” Lee said.

The first quarter saw a drought of points in the first two minutes of the game, with both sides taking shots and securing rebounds, but neither able to draw first blood. Then, a jump shot by Mackenzie Egger ’25 set scoring in motion, and soon both teams battled offensively. 

Marisa Chapman ’28, a new guard on the Yale roster, got her first collegiate start alongside regulars Egger, Capstraw and Thybulle. Despite being absent from last season’s roster, Lee was the fifth and final Bulldog to get the start.

Two other players made their Yale debut within the first quarter: Ciniya Moore ’28 and Ana Guillen ’27. 

As the clock dwindled, the contest to see who could lead at the end of the first quarter persisted. Eventually, thanks to a back-to-back jump shot and free throw, Monmouth had the lead going into the second, 8–11.

In the second quarter, the climb in points on Yale’s side was all thanks to Chapman and Egger, who combined for 11 points in the 10-minute quarter. With just these two on the offensive prowl, the Hawks were able to extend their lead going into halftime, 20–28.

By the third, the Hawks had jumped out to a 12-point lead. Egger and Guillen set to work to dismantle this deficit. Three minutes into the quarter, Egger hit a jump shot, followed by a Guillen layup thanks to a defensive rebound by Chapman. Shortly after, Egger sunk a three-pointer. Within a minute, the two had brought the deficit down to five.

Notably, Ke’iara Odume ’28 made her collegiate debut in the third quarter and did not come out for the remainder of the contest.

Despite trailing the entire game, the Bulldogs showed no sign of letting up, putting up 26 points in 10 minutes. Yale scored ten unanswered points to end the fourth quarter, solidifying their first win of the season as a comeback victory 64–61. 

“I think the win against Monmouth is a great, strong start to our season,” Lee told the News. “We have a lot to work on but starting off the year with a gritty win is telling of what we are capable of.”

Egger had a career-high 25 points, leading her team in scoring and establishing a precedent early on. Behind her, newcomer Chapman put up 17 points and 12 rebounds. Her defense aided the team in their ability to convert opponent’s mistakes to Bulldog baskets. 

This week, the Bulldogs head to Michigan State to play the Spartans (1–0, 0–0), who will prove serious competition. They recently bested their last opponent, Oakland, 107–42.

Nonetheless, Lee said that the team is “excited to play against a Power 5 school with energy and atmosphere” and that it will be “a good test of [the team’s] offensive and defensive principles.” She also noted that bringing Egger home is something the team is “pumped” for.

The Bulldogs will venture to Lansing, MI, for their game on Friday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.