Although Jumbos are not typically known for their aggressiveness, over the past two weeks, sophomore Emily Goodman has done her best imitation of a T-Rex - powering her way to 90 points and 31 rebounds over four games. For her efforts, Goodman earned her second consecutive New England Women's Basketball Association (NEWBA) Player of the Week award and willed her team to a NESCAC Tournament berth.
Needing to win at least one of two games this past weekend for Tufts to clinch a spot in the NESCAC Tournament, Goodman stepped up to the challenge, putting in a season-high 35 points in the Jumbos' 65-61 come-from-behind victory over Wesleyan last Friday night. In addition to her scoring prowess, Goodman also grabbed six boards, picked up two steals, and blocked two shots. On the night, Goodman shot 11-18 from the field for a whopping 61.1 shooting percentage, connected on 13-14 free throw attempts, and more importantly, carried her team into the playoffs.
"I always play better under pressure, and obviously there was a huge amount for us to win," Goodman said. "I just had it set in my mind that we weren't going to get beat. "
Prior to the contest, Goodman got herself psyched up. "Right before the game I watched the Larry Bird tape - Larry Bird a Legend," Goodman revealed. "Usually before I go to sleep [the night before a game] I see my self doing things on the court."
While sequels typically cannot compare to the original, Goodman did her best to obliterate that theory in her encore performance on Saturday against the Connecticut College Camels. Having already produced one blockbuster hit in her playoff clinching showing on Friday, Goodman lit it up again to the tune of 20 points, eight rebounds, and a startling 56.3 shooting percentage from the field.
"Those were the most important games of the season in our eyes," Goodman said. "If we didn't beat Wesleyan, I don't think we would have made it to the tournament. It was crucial."
Goodman's second NEWBA Player of the Week award of the season came a mere seven days after her first. Goodman walked away with her inaugural Player of the Week award for her play between Feb. 5-11, when the Briarcliff, New York native averaged 22.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in Tufts' matchups with Williams and Middlebury.
Unfortunately for the Jumbos, in their first round showdown with second-seeded Colby on Tuesday night, Tufts could not replicate its success from the previous weekend, falling 65-54, despite 14 points and 13 rebounds from Goodman.
"The worst part about it is that, once again, we could have won," Goodman said. "It wasn't a blowout by any means. We didn't do the things that it took to win. If the game had lasted a little longer we would have had it. It wasn't consistent."
While the Jumbos' season did not have the heart warming ending, Goodman is determined to fix that next year.
"I'm just gonna try and be in better shape," Goodman said. "The hardest thing for me is the running and I need to work on my ball handling and develop more of an outside game. I will have an easier time if I can move everywhere on court and not just be limited to boxes."
