With her team’s postseason hopes hanging in the balance, Bender produced three prime performances which catapulted the Hawks into the NEC Tournament as the No. 6 seed. The junior forward averaged 17.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per contest while shooting 69 percent (20-29) from the field. Even more impressive than her weekly numbers was her ability to make the big play. With the Hawks storming back from a 21-point first-half deficit to Mount St. Mary’s, Bender completed two traditional three-point plays in the final 3:12 of regulation with the second trifecta providing the difference. Before finishing with 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting and 11 rebounds against the Mount, Bender spearheaded the Hawks’ road upset of No. 1 Quinnipiac by logging 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. The MU junior capped the week with a double-double of 13 points and 12 boards in a win over Saint Francis (PA) that clinched the Hawks’ postseason berth.