Mia DePalo '11 accounted for nearly half of the women's basketball team's points last Sunday, scoring a career-high 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting and an impressive 5-of-7 from beyond the arc in a 61-50 loss to the University of Rochester.The senior guard has had a strong season so far, as she posted her previous career best just two weeks ago on Jan. 14, when she scored 13 points in a win against Carnegie Mellon University.

"I'm not that big of a scorer, and I had a hard defensive task yesterday. I took two shots early and they went in, and I just kept shooting and scoring, and I kept getting open. Lucky day, I think," DePalo said.

DePalo's career effort could not lift the Judges past No. 12 Rochester. Brandeis has now dropped four of its last five games.

"It wasn't enough to get the win. We made a few mistakes. I'm happy that my shots went in, but I wish we could have had the win," said DePalo.

DePalo and forward Amber Strodthoff '11 are the only two seniors on the team and their leadership will be crucial in the coming weeks as the Judges look to turn around their midseason funk.

"As the only two seniors, we have to lead," DePalo said. "Amber [Strodthoff] is more physical [than me], but we both try to lead by example. I really try to lead on the court. If the younger players see someone older giving it their all, the younger players will follow."

Despite its recent losing streak, DePalo is confidant that the team can turn it around. She noted that practice has intensified, and the team's mindset is in the right place.

"Everyone knew what we have to do. We [have] a different attitude now and we know that a lot can change from week to week," she said.