Providence – January 11,2025- Brown Bears faced off against the Yale Bulldogs in a gripping Ivy League conference game, showcasing stellar performances and intense moments on both sides of the court. The game tipped off with Brown winning the opening possession, leading to a slick hesitation move by Grace Arnolie for the first basket. Yale responded quickly, with Ke’iara Odume sinking a three-pointer and Kiley Capstraw adding a jumper to give Yale an early 5-2 lead. However, Brown’s Grace Arnolie and Olivia Young answered back, with Young’s three-pointer giving the Bears a 10-7 edge. Yale regained momentum with Grace Thybulle banking in a shot off the glass and Marisa Chapman hitting a three-pointer to put the Bulldogs up 12-10. Brown’s Aima Ofunrein utilized her physicality in the paint, tying the game at 12. Yale’s McKenzie Egger followed up with a strong drive to give Yale a 14-12 lead. A crucial block by Yale’s Chapman and a layup by Grace Thybulle extended the Bulldogs’ lead to 16-12 at the end of the first quarter. Grace Arnolie shone early, leading Brown with seven points in the first quarter.
The second quarter saw turnovers plague both teams. Brown capitalized on a Yale miscue with Olivia Young drilling another three, pulling the Bears within one at 16-15. Brown then took their first lead of the game at 17-16, following a steal and fast-break finish. Arnolie continued her aggressive play, pushing the Bears ahead 23-18 with a smooth drive to the basket. Yale’s Magdalena Schmidt hit a timely three-pointer to keep the Bulldogs within reach. However, Brown’s free-throw shooting, extended their advantage to 28-20. Yale fought back, with Capstraw and Schmidt adding critical points to narrow the gap. At halftime, Yale held a slim 30-29 lead. Grace Arnolie led all scorers with 16 points at the break, while Yale’s Capstraw and Thybulle contributed six points each.
The second half began with Brown’s Aima scoring off the glass to reclaim the lead at 31-30. The teams exchanged baskets, with Capstraw and Thybulle leading the charge for Yale. Arnolie’s free throws tied the game at 36 before Yale’s Ke’iara Odume nailed a three-pointer, giving the Bulldogs a 41-38 edge. Arnolie kept Brown close, attacking the basket and finishing through contact. A buzzer-beating three-pointer by Olivia Young gave the Bears a one-point lead, 49-48, heading into the final quarter.
The final period began with a clutch three-pointer by Olvia Young, giving Brown a 52-50 advantage. The Bears’ defense tightened, forcing multiple turnovers and shot clock violations. Arnolie continued her dominance, slicing through Yale’s defense for crucial baskets. Aima and Arnolie combined for back-to-back scores, extending Brown’s lead to 65-54 with 7:26 remaining. Olivia Young’s hot shooting from beyond the arc widened the gap to 68-54, forcing a Yale timeout. Despite a late push by McKenzie Eager and Capstraw, the Bears held firm. Grace Arnolie sealed the victory at the free-throw line, finishing with a game-high 35 points, seven assists, and two steals. Brown triumphed 77-69 in an Ivy win. Arnolie praised her teammates for their collective effort, emphasizing the importance of starting strong. “Coach Mo always reminds us to assert ourselves early and play with physicality and be aggressive. Brown looks to face off against Harvard University Saturday January 18th, 2025, at 2pm.
