Brandeis Women's Basketball Defeats Wheaton (MA) 78-56

On November 6, 2026, the Brandeis University women’s basketball team faced Wheaton College (Mass.) in a contest that saw Wheaton secure a 78–56 victory. The game featured notable individual performances, including a 24-point effort from Wheaton’s Abby Kennedy, as both teams navigated a series of substitutions and tactical adjustments throughout the matchup.

The Arc of the Contest

The game, as detailed in the official summary from NCAA.com, saw Wheaton establish a firm lead early, maintaining offensive momentum that Brandeis struggled to contain. Wheaton’s scoring was anchored by Abby Kennedy, who logged 31 minutes of play and converted 9 of 21 field goal attempts, including two shots from beyond the arc. Her reliability at the free-throw line—where she went a perfect 4-for-4—helped keep the scoreboard tilted in Wheaton’s favor throughout the afternoon.

Brandeis saw contributions across its roster, but the team faced challenges in defensive rebounding and ball security. Katherine Vaughan provided a strong presence in the paint for Brandeis, pulling down seven rebounds—five of them offensive—and contributing eight points. Despite these efforts, Wheaton’s ability to convert on second-chance opportunities and maintain a 47% field goal percentage proved difficult to overcome.

Tactical Shifts and Substitution Patterns

The pace of the game was defined by frequent personnel changes. Box score data indicates that both coaching staffs utilized their benches extensively to keep fresh players on the floor. For instance, the opening minutes of the second half saw a flurry of activity, with multiple substitutions at the 10:00 mark involving players such as Jazzy Perez, Aubrey Kramer, and Annabelle Kenny.

The flow of play was punctuated by defensive plays that shifted momentum. Wheaton’s Saviah Shabazz was particularly active, recording three steals and contributing seven points in 28 minutes of action. On the opposing side, Brandeis relied on players like Elena Delicado, who added six points and grabbed four rebounds, to stabilize the frontcourt. However, the turnover differential remained a point of friction for Brandeis, which logged 10 turnovers against Wheaton’s 11.

Statistical Breakdown of the Matchup

The efficiency gap between the two programs was most evident in their shooting from the field. Wheaton finished the game shooting 31-of-66 from the floor, compared to a more restricted output from the Brandeis shooters. The following table highlights key statistical contributions from both rosters as reported by the NCAA:

Player	Points	Rebounds	Assists	Steals
Abby Kennedy (Wheaton)	24	5	1	1
Katherine Vaughan (Brandeis)	8	7	1	0
Sofia Berisha (Wheaton)	8	4	0	1
Saviah Shabazz (Wheaton)	7	2	2	3
Jazzy Perez (Brandeis)	6	2	0	3

Unresolved Questions on the Court

While the final score provides a clear outcome, the game left several tactical questions open for the remainder of the season. Specifically, the high volume of missed three-point attempts by both teams during the mid-game stretches suggests that perimeter shooting accuracy remains a work in progress for both squads. Whether these teams will adjust their offensive sets to prioritize higher-percentage looks in the paint or continue to challenge defenses from behind the arc remains to be seen in their upcoming scheduled appearances.

The physical nature of the game, highlighted by the 11 personal fouls committed by Brandeis and the corresponding free-throw opportunities granted to Wheaton, indicates that both teams were playing with significant intensity. As the season progresses, the ability of these rosters to limit fouls while maintaining their defensive pressure will likely determine their trajectory in the conference standings.