The last time the women's basketball team didn't win its own Tip-Off Tournament, star center Caitlin Malcolm '07 was a junior in high school. Now a senior at Brandeis, she was awarded the tournament's Most Valuable Player award for the third year in a row, scoring 24 points and grabbing eight rebounds as the Judges defeated visiting St. Lawrence College 68-47 in Sunday's final. Brandeis also beat Regis College 90-37 Saturday in the first round.

"[Winning the MVP] is awesome, but I wouldn't get it without my teammates," Malcolm said.

Guard Jamie Capra '08 had 15 points in the title game, and was named to the all-tournament team for a third year in a row.

With their eyes on a fifth straight Tip-Off Tournament title, the Judges'

efficient first-half play backed up their No. 16 preseason ranking. While Malcolm and Capra combined for the team's first 12 points, the team showcased its ability to move the ball on offense, registering 15 assists on 16 first-half field goals.

"Our offense executed really well," coach Carol Simon said. "We had

really good inside-outside game, so [St. Lawrence] really couldn't focus in on one area."

The Judges found themselves down 14-9 after six minutes, but this would be

their only deficit all afternoon. A three by Malcolm and a jumper from Kiersten Holgash '08 tied the game, as Brandeis used a 30-14 run to close the half up with 11 points.

After the break, Saints' junior guard Jamie Wolf hit a three-pointer to

cut the Judges' lead to eight. But Malcolm responded with seven straight points-four from the free throw line and another three-pointer-to push the lead to 13. The Judges' lead never shrunk after that.

Malcolm highlighted the team's ability to sustain a high level of play for the entire game as an important factor in the victory as a promising sign for the rest of the season.

"Everyone was very intense the whole game," she said. "We

actually kept it going through the second half, unlike some times last year."

Although the Judges trounced Regis Saturday, they weren't as dominant as the huge margin of victory might indicate. Regis had just six players on its roster, and Holgash said Brandeis played a disorganized game in the blowout.

"Sometimes in a game like that, you get a little sloppy because you know you're better than your competition," Holgash said. "We weren't disciplined. Good teams should never play down to anyone."

Still, the Judges' offense was in full swing against undermanned Regis. 13 different players scored, and Malcolm had the 20th double-double of her career with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Forward Lauren Orlando '09 just missed a double-double of her own with 13 points and nine rebounds.

Simon was impressed with Holgash, the new starting point guard replacing former captain Amanda Demartino '06, this weekend.

"[Holgash] ran the offense very well and maintained her composure," Simon said. "I thought she did a nice job leading this team."

Holgash, who plays a more up-tempo game than Demartino, was happy that her teammates have already adjusted to her style and said the faster pace can take the Judges to the next level.

"My teammates really trust me, [and] I want to be the leader, so it's a good feeling," she said. "We're a much quicker team than before, and I think it's playing to our advantage."

The Judges host Wellesley College Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and Endicott College Sunday at 1 p.m.