defense

A close-up photo of three Princeton players huddling with head coach Carla Berube during a game.

Facing relentless West Virginia press, Princeton comes up empty-handed in NCAA Tournament

By Jenn Hatfield / March 24, 2024

Princeton navigated the press for a half on Saturday but couldn’t secure a third straight first-round win

Columbia guards Cecelia Collins and Abbey Hsu celebrate on the court, facing their cheering fans in the stands.

What Columbia’s win over Princeton showed about the Lions’ team and program

By Jenn Hatfield / February 25, 2024

Despite losing seven seniors, Columbia is tied for first place again in the Ivy League

Harvard guard Lola Mullaney stands on the perimeter near the Columbia bench and pulls the ball behind her head with both hands to pass toward the center of the court. Columbia guard Abbey Hsu stands on the 3-point line with her hands out to pressure Mullaney.

Six storylines to watch in Ivy League play

By Jenn Hatfield / January 3, 2024

Freshman point guards, Princeton’s defense, a crucial injury and more

Five Dartmouth players are shown standing, cheering and clapping on the bench.

Behind the scenes of a rebuild: How Linda Cimino got Dartmouth to believe

By Jenn Hatfield / December 27, 2023

Players’ shock at winning early in the season has turned into expecting to win

Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes extends her right arm to steal a lateral pass from a Connecticut Sun player.

Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes is chasing 100 steals — and WNBA history

By Jenn Hatfield / September 2, 2023

Sykes, the two-time reigning steals champion, has been even more dangerous defensively this season

Washington Mystics players put their hands together in a huddle. Point guard Natasha Cloud addresses the group.

What’s been going wrong with the Washington Mystics’ defense?

By Jenn Hatfield / July 23, 2023

Once the best defensive team in the WNBA, the Mystics have gotten away from that identity since Shakira Austin’s injury

Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas sits on the bench alertly, with her hands clasped in front of her.

Two Ups and a Down: Alyssa Thomas MVP edition

By Lucas Seehafer / May 27, 2023

Plus, an icon’s defense and the rise of Jackie Young

Washington Mystics players and staff stand in a loose circle at halfcourt and talk at the end of a practice.

2023 WNBA season preview: Washington Mystics

By Jenn Hatfield / May 15, 2023

‘Underdog’ Mystics could challenge WNBA’s superteams with elite defense, improved offense

Louisville guard Hailey Van Lith shoots a left-handed layup as Mississippi defenders fail to contest.

Lost and found: Louisville finds identity, Mississippi struggles with it in Sweet 16

By Kiri Oler / March 25, 2023

Mississippi’s dominant defense faltered against a Louisville team clicking at the right time

Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray dribbles the ball as Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins defends.

What will it take for the Las Vegas Aces to win their first WNBA championship?

By Matthew Walter / September 10, 2022

Connecticut is all that stands between the Aces and a championship. What will it take for Las Vegas to defeat the Sun?