In basketball, the point guard is always referred to as the decision-maker on the court.

She must bring the ball up the court, find an open player and maneuver the ball around swarming defenders to score game-saving points.

This season, Hannah Cain '15, a first-year out of Gloucester High School in Massachusetts, has been Brandeis' decision-maker.

Cain, in just her rookie season, has been a huge force for the team, guiding the Judges to a 7-5 record, including a 4-2 record at Red Auerbach Arena.

In Cain's first season with the Judges, she feels her transition from high school basketball has been very smooth.

"Coach Simon, Coach Foulis and my new teammates have been really supportive in helping me learn the plays," she said.

Cain's comfort on the court is also due in part to guard Janelle Rodriguez '14. Cain and Rodriguez played on the same Amateur Athletic Union team, the Bay State Blizzard.

"We have been playing together since we were 12 years old, so we had automatic chemistry when we got back on the court together."

In December, Cain led the Judges with 22 assists. She gave a lot of credit to her teammates for getting open and finding scoring opportunities.

"I think that after playing together for a while, we all have a better idea of where each other's sweet spots are on the court," she said.

"My teammates do an excellent job of relocating if the defense collapses, and so by them freeing up, it makes it easier to hit them with the pass."

In Cain's final game in December, she posted 11 points, accompanied by 12 rebounds and seven assists, both career highs.

Her near triple-double performance on New Year's Eve powered the Judges to a 77-45 victory over Husson University.

With the Judges' season at the halfway mark, Cain and company are looking to build on the progress they have made.

Cain explained that improvement starts in practice and will ultimately lead to better production during games.

"Throughout the rest of the season, we are hoping to up the tempo of our overall game, be more physical, limit our turnovers … and continue to push one another in practice."

The Judges will travel to face Washington University in St. Louis this Friday at 7 p.m.