With four minutes, 45 seconds left in last Sunday's match at Emory University, only trailing by three points, the women's basketball team found its golden opportunity. Reeling from three consecutive losses on the road Brandeis needed a big play to seal the victory and stop the bleeding.

Forward Nicolina Vitale '14 delivered the crucial shot, a layup, to cut Emory's lead to 47-46. Victory was within the Judges' sights. However, misfortune beset the women's basketball team again. Emory junior forward Misha Jackson fired back with a jumper to extend the Eagles' lead to 49-46. The women would not recover, failing to score another point in a 53-46 loss. With a 53-37 defeat to No. 11 University of Rochester last Saturday, the Judges dropped to 8-14 and 1-10 in the UAA.

Coach Carol Simon argued that the key factor in the loss was the Judges' failure to contest easy shots.

"Defensively, in order to win games, we cannot allow easy baskets," she said.

Guard Morgan Kendrew '12 set the tone for the Judges at the outset of the match, drilling a jumper on a fast break for the first lead of the game. While Emory quickly regained control of the game, establishing a 10-5 lead, the Judges would counter, tying the match on a three-pointer from Kendrew. From there, Brandeis would battle with the surging Eagles for the lead in the first half.

The Judges broke open a 9-3 run, capped by a three-pointer from guard Kelly Ethier '12 to stretch the lead to 23-17. However, Emory would not concede the lead of the game that easily, pulling to a 23-23 tie with 2:11 remaining in the half. A pair of free-throws from forward Shannon Hassan '12 sealed a 28-25 Brandeis lead at halftime. The Judges finally had found their rhythm at a time when they desperately needed it.

The women did not step off the gas to start the second half, as they stretched the lead to 33-27, a game-high six points. Emory, as it did all game, clawed back from behind to push the score to a 35-35 tie. Ultimately, though, this would be the last lead the Judges would hold. However, they certainly made the game interesting. The Eagles' largest lead, preceding the basket from Vitale, would be no more than three points.

After Vitale's basket though, Jackson would single-handedly end Brandeis' hopes of victory with her fateful jump shot.

Kendrew again led the offensive charge for the Judges, earning 11 points while also notching eight rebounds in the defeat. Forward Erika Higginbottom '15 contributed a team-high 11 rebounds, six of which were on the offensive end of the court.

Last Friday against the University of Rochester, the Judges failed to score in key situations and ultimately could not handle the smothering Rochester defense. While the women managed to keep it close in the opening minutes, only trailing 10-6, they soon could not contain the explosive YellowJackets' attack.

Rochester went on a 17-4 scoring spree, shooting 42 percent from the floor to extend their lead to 27-10. Brandeis fought back and cut the lead to 12 points going into halftime.

While the women started to make big plays in the next half, making the game a much closer affair, it was an effort that proved to be too late.

Simon acknowledged the team continues to be plagued by an inability to convert on easy baskets. The Judges only shot 22 percent from the floor and failed to convert a three-point basket in the entire game.

"Our main issue continues to be offensive execution," said Simon. "We need to limit our turnovers and be more efficient on offense."

Kendrew was limited to eight points, marking only the second time she has been held to under 10 points in play this season. Vitale and Ethier both added seven points from the bench.

However, the Judges did prevail on the boards against Rochester, notching 47 rebounds as compared to the YellowJackets' 46.

Simon noted this would be a key concern for the Judges heading into the weekend.

"Rebounding is crucial," said Simon. "We must win the battle of the boards if we want to be successful against these teams."

While this did not help the Judges against Rochester, it will hopefully help them in their last stretch of home games in the regular season. Brandeis will next host Washington University in St. Louis this Friday night at 6 p.m.