UNION, N.J.-Years ago in Old Bridge, N.J., captain and forward Jaime Capra '08 learned how to play basketball with her father and brother in their front yard. Now, Capra's career has come full circle, as the women's basketball team's first- and second-round games last weekend at Kean University were held just 25 miles from her hometown. She prolonged her career by leading a 15-point rally in the last six minutes of the Judges' 74-71 first-round win over the University of Southern Maine last Friday, but it ended when Brandeis was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament with a 95-61 loss to Kean University last Saturday.

"I was really excited [about playing in New Jersey]," Capra said. "Probably the best possible scenario aside from playing at home at Brandeis would be playing in New Jersey."

Capra, who was named the co-Player of the Year in the University Athletic Association last Wednesday, credits her family and friends for their support throughout her career. Her parents often made the long drive to Waltham to see her play in home games, but with this weekend's games being close to her hometown, even more of her supporters showed up. That list included her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, her high school and church league basketball coaches and several of her high school friends. Some of Capra's teammates' family members showed up as well and cheered along with them.

"I just love that they all got so into it. They were actually doing a 'Defense!' chant and standing up, clapping. . It kind of felt like it was a home crowd tonight, so it was really nice," Capra said last Friday.

Capra played a large role in the rally against Southern Maine, getting a steal and layup to pull the Judges within single digits with just under five minutes left in the game, and later hitting the go-ahead three-pointer with 1 minute, 56 seconds remaining. Capra's supporters, along with the rest of the Brandeis crowd, had been silent for much of the half, but they erupted after those two plays.

When it became clear the Judges would lose their second-round contest to Kean, Capra was given another loud ovation by her supporters and she received a participation award along with the rest of her teammates for taking part in the NCAA Tournament after the game.

"I didn't really have an appreciation for my home state until I left it and went to college," she said.