Kori Barach missed a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds as the Amherst College women’s basketball team defeated Connecticut College 58-48 on Friday night.
Aside from helping the Mammoths extend their winning streak to five games and clinch a spot in the upcoming NESCAC Tournament, it marked the 600th career win for Amherst College coach G.P. Gromacki.
The 17-year coach earned this feat in 686 games, surpassing Hope College’s Brian Morehouse (690) for the fewest in NCAA basketball history.
“It means we had a lot of good players and people that cared about competing and being part of a great program,” said Gromacki in a release to Amherst College. “Hats off to everybody that’s come through here. You know, it’s all about the team. It’s not about me or any individual, and I think when we stress that, we get the wins.”
Before game action, the Mammoths honored their three seniors: Reeya Patel, Nicole Stanford, and Abbey Skinner.
These upperclassmen helped guide Amherst College to a trio of “Little Three” titles and appeared in the NESCAC championship game and Final Four during the 2021-22 season.
“I’m just proud on Senior Night,” Gromacki said. “The seniors, you know, kept that streak going for them and just really excited about where we are right now.”It hasn’t sunk in. Credit, again, to a lot of people who helped me get where I am.
“From the administration at the two other schools that I coached at in Division III, obviously the support I get here. I’m just really fortunate. Faith, God’s always there, and I’m just thankful where I’m at, and it’s just a lot of people helping me; it’s definitely not myself.”
Gromacki led the Mammoths to eight NESCAC championship titles, held perfect seasons in 2017 and 2018, and won three national championships in 2011, 2017, and 2018.
The Amherst native is also a two-time WBCA National Coach of the Year, five-time D3Hoops.com New England Coach of the Year, six-time NESCAC Coach of the Year, and has coached three NCAA D-III Players of the Year.
Amherst College improved to 18-4 and will now travel to face Colby on Friday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.
