In front of hundreds of fans, the Bison shattered program records with their hard-fought 73-65 win against American during the Patriot League quarterfinals on March 7. The team recorded its 10th straight win, breaking the program record and earning a 24-6 record this season. This win brings the Bison to a 17-1 record for Patriot League games.

The score was tied at two points during the game and the Orange and Blue were down for most of the first half, but they persevered thanks in part to a seven-point contribution by Tyler Craig ’16 to end the first half. With the Orange and Blue down by 13 points with a little over five minutes left in the first half, Craig started her offensive charge, prompting Claire DeBoer ’17 and Kyiarah English ’19 to add points of their own, as they scored with a layup and a three-pointer to finish the first half. To start the fourth quarter, the Bison proved their offensive skills once more with an 8-0 run, effectively guaranteeing the win.

Sune Swart ’17 said that the team’s success does not come as a surprise.

“After last season, it immediately felt like our whole team had our minds set on being the best in the league this year,” Swart said.

Swart was one of the top rebounders of the game, clocking a total of seven rebounds, along with seven points, three steals, and two blocks.

Jacqueline Klotz ’18 topped the Bison chart for rebounds with eight, solidifying her position as second in the Patriot League for rebounding. This is Klotz’s 37th straight game with at least five rebounds. Also scoring 11 points, the sophomore painted herself as a true offensive threat. DeBoer also grabbed her fair share of rebounds, coming up with six. However, DeBoer’s true prowess lies in her scoring; she scored 16 points, making it her 10th straight game with double-figures in scoring. DeBoer is not the only Bison to score big against American, as English, Craig, and Klotz all hustled to earn double-figures.

Setting yet another record for the Bison is the senior class, composed of Craig, Sheaira Jones ’16, and Claire Maree O’Bryan ’16. They helped lead the team to 72 wins during their four years, which is more than any other class in program history. The underclassmen have earned their fair share of accolades and accomplishments as well. Swart especially credits the freshmen for the team’s success.

“They came in ready to go and were already competing with the upperclassmen and making the team better,” Swart said.

The seemingly indefatigable Bison beat their own record for the most wins in a season, and hope to continue to do so until they reach the Patriot League championship.

The Bison will compete March 11 against Loyola in the Patriot League semifinals at Army West Point in West Point, NY.