BRUNSWICK – Hamilton cut the Bowdoin lead to a single point on six occasions, but succumbed to a 49-44 defeat as the Polar Bears hit five unanswered points down the stretch in women’s basketball action Saturday.

Jill Henrikson netted a pair of freebies before Katie Bergeron extended the lead to three points, 47-44, by hitting the first of two from the charity stripe. After missing her second attempt, Alexis Kaubris gathered a crucial offensive rebound for the Polar Bears (9-2) with 20 seconds remaining.

Kaubris led the Bowdoin with 13 points, eight boards and three steals.

The Continentals (5-3) were led by Sydney Fasulo, who had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Bates 84, Norwich 70

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – Senior Val Beckwith scored 19 points and junior Lauren Yanofsky shined with 18 points and 12 rebounds as Bates College defeated Norwich University 84-70 Saturday night at the Williams College Winter Classic.

Yanofsky scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the second half as the Bobcats (8-2) extended their halftime lead of 36-33 to as many of 19 points.

The Cadets (5-3) outrebounded the Bobcats 43-37, but Bates shot 53.3 percent from the floor, while Norwich was held to 37.7 percent shooting.

Men’s basketball

Bates 70, Becker 64

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Bates hit seven of eight free throws in the final half minute to ice a 70-64 victory over Becker College in the championship game of the Springfield College Holiday Inn/Naismith Classic Saturday.

The Bobcats (6-4) overcame a 32-24 halftime deficit to tie the game at 52-52 with 5:36 remaining in regulation. The contest went back-and-forth a couple of times more before Becker was forced to foul and Bates scored a series of foul shots.

Junior Chris Wilson scored a team-high 19 points, including 15 in the second half, to lead the Bobcats (6-4) to their third consecutive victory. Junior Sean Wirth added nine points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots.

Markus Wright had a game-high 22 points and 10 rebounds for Becker (6-3).