Morgan Scores 19, Women’s Basketball Tops CMS In NCAA Opener

Postgame Press Conference

ABILENE, Texas — Whitman women’s basketball is dancing on. Behind a blistering start and a statement night from Holly Morgan, the Blues powered past Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 70–54 in the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament, advancing to the Round of 32 out of a pod hosted by Hardin-Simmons University.​

Whitman came out throwing haymakers, ripping off a 10–0 run out of the gate and never trailing as Morgan caught fire early from deep. The junior guard led all scorers with 19 points, drilling four threes and setting the tone for a Blues offense that shot 50 percent from the field and a lethal 47 percent from beyond the arc.​

Every CMS push met an answer. Each time the Athenas carved the margin down in the second and third quarters, Whitman responded with timely threes and calm execution. In the fourth, the Blues slammed the door, pouring in 26 points over the final 10 minutes and stretching the lead to as many as 16 as their bench rose to its feet and the Whitman fans in Abilene roared.​

Morgan had plenty of help. Emma Lena Baker pounded away inside on her way to 12 points and eight rebounds, and Morgan Montgomery turned the lane into a runway, attacking the rim and finishing with 17 points while going a perfect 8-for-8 at the free-throw line. Whitman owned the glass 37–27 and turned 16 CMS turnovers into 22 points, repeatedly punishing mistakes in transition.​

The Blues also won the toughness categories. They doubled up CMS in fast-break points (13–3) and controlled the paint down the stretch, combining composure at the stripe with suffocating half-court defense that held the Athenas to just 32.8 percent shooting and 5-of-19 from three. When the final horn sounded, Whitman’s bench spilled onto the floor, mobbing Morgan near midcourt as the scoreboard confirmed what they’d played like all night: they’re not ready for the season to end.​

With the win, Whitman improves to 21–7 and moves one step closer to a regional title, punching its ticket to Saturday’s Round of 32 matchup against the winner of Hardin-Simmons and Austin College. In a four-team pod where someone has to emerge, the Blues made their opening statement loud and clear—they plan on staying a while in Abilene.\ 

#GoWhitman

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