Dartmouth women’s basketball opened its 2025–26 season with a narrow 52–50 home win over Boston University on Friday, holding off a fourth-quarter comeback to secure the victory. The game marked a strong start for a program focused on rebuilding and developing team chemistry following a difficult Ivy League campaign last year.
The Big Green led for most of the night, building momentum with a first-quarter 8–2 run sparked by five quick points from co-captain Alexandra Eldredge ‘27. BU briefly took the lead midway through the second quarter, but Dartmouth answered through steady offensive play and strong defense. A three-pointer from forward Cate MacDonald ‘27 gave the Big Green a 21–14 advantage late in the half, prompting a timeout from BU head coach Melissa Graves. Dartmouth entered halftime ahead 25–18.
Eldredge led the team with 14 points, five rebounds, an assist, and a steal. MacDonald contributed 14 points of her own along with six rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. First-year guard Zeynep Ozel ‘28 also reached double figures, reflecting the team’s balanced scoring approach.
Dartmouth maintained control through most of the second half but faced pressure in the final minutes. The Terriers mounted a 16-point surge in the closing four minutes, cutting the lead to two. Solid free-throw shooting from Eldredge and MacDonald helped preserve the win, with each hitting two clutch shots from the line.
“We played team basketball today,” head coach Linda Cimino said after the game. “We defended when we needed to, and we executed sets out of timeouts.”
The victory followed an offseason centered on team-building and communication. The program added four first-year players and two new assistant coaches while returning a core group dedicated to defensive intensity and leadership development. With the graduation of top scorer Victoria Page ‘25—who averaged 15 points per game last season—players like Eldredge, MacDonald, and Ozel have stepped into leading roles.
The preseason also included joint activities with other campus athletic programs, such as rowing and equestrian outings, aimed at fostering trust and coordination. Co-captain Olivia Lawlor ‘26 described the time off the court as vital to their cohesion. “If you’re not talking on the [rowing] boat, and if you’re not getting into a rhythm, you’re not going anywhere,” she said.
That emphasis on communication translated to the court, especially on defense. MacDonald highlighted the team’s vocal presence in their opening game, saying they “did a good job of talking when switching” to contain BU’s shooters. The Big Green defense held BU to just 34.5% shooting from the field.
Ahead of the season, Cimino underscored patience as a key to Dartmouth’s long-term strategy. Unlike programs that rely heavily on transfers, Dartmouth is aiming to build continuity and develop talent over time. “There is no quick fix,” she said. Still, the coach believes her team can compete with Ivy League leaders Princeton, Harvard, and Columbia. “There is no reason why we can’t compete with those schools.”
The win marks a hopeful beginning for a team focused on growth, execution, and consistent improvement. While Dartmouth has found success in other sports this year, including when Dartmouth edged Princeton 20-17 on the football field, the women’s basketball team is writing its own comeback story. Dartmouth will next take on the University of Albany Great Danes on Monday evening.
