The Hawks opened up the 2017-18 season with a home matchup against Brandeis University on Wednesday, Nov. 15, edging the Judges 61-60 in their season opener.

Senior Mariah Nicholas led the Hawks with 26 points and eight rebounds. Senior Tegan Dunn tallied a double-double with 12 points and 12 boards and sophomore Gabby Jerahian added 10 points, including the game-winner.

Head Coach Kelly Thompson knew that Brandeis was going to be a tough competitor after three years of consecutive losses against the Judges, so the Hawks needed to perform their best if they were to obtain a victory.

The Hawks entered the game full force with five quick points by Nicholas. However, Brandeis knew how to retaliate and was able to keep the score within three points throughout the entire first quarter.

Brandeis kept the lead in the second quarter with a gap as big as 10 points. However, the half ended tight with Brandeis leading by a score of 27-25. Nicholas and Dunn had done most of their work inside the paint in the first-half.

Out of the 16 3-point shots the team attempted, Jerahian made two of them. Jerahian produced another field goal to assist with the team’s victory, as well.

By the end of the third quarter, Brandeis secured the lead at 50-38. Roger Williams was outscored 23-13 in the period.

The Hawks took to their offense too quickly and were not able to react to the pressure that Brandeis had on the ball.

Roger Williams was able to cut the lead to four points with 5:16 left in the game making the score 52-48. After a few missed attempts, the Hawks attacked on defense to keep the ball on their side and tie things up at 56 with 2:27 remaining.

Walther lost control with a turnover giving Brandeis enough time for quick drive to the basket for an easy layup.

With the score in favor of Brandeis, 60-56, the Judges took a 30-second timeout to regather their defense.

Their strategies proved weak when Roger Williams continued to stay tough on offense and gathered two points off Dunn’s free throws. The gap began to close and Brandeis lost their composure. The Judges missed four shots on the line leaving the door open for the Hawks to tie the game or pull ahead. Despite going 3-of-13 on the night, Jerahian drained a go-ahead 3-point jumper with nine seconds left to give the Hawks a 61-60 lead.

With little time left and no timeouts, Brandeis had to quickly push the ball up the court. Brandeis missed the go-ahead layup and a follow-up attempt was denied by senior guard Rebecca Ritchie, giving the Hawks their first Brandeis victory since 2013.

The Hawks will return home Tuesday to face another tough opponent: the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Corsairs.