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EAST STROUDSBURG - Brittany Sicinski scored 21 points and Chikisha Steele-Hook added 17 points and 14 rebounds as West Chester held off East Stroudsburg University's late comeback attempt for a 69-63 win in PSAC East women's basketball on Saturday afternoon at Koehler Fieldhouse.

Redshirt senior guard Andrea Veres scored 12 points to lead a balanced scoring effort for ESU (6-10, 5-7), which cut a 15-point deficit (56-41) with 8:30 remaining to just four points with 55 seconds left before the Golden Rams held on.

Sicinski added 10 rebounds to go with her 21 points for West Chester (13-3, 9-3), which is second in the PSAC East standings behind Bloomsburg. Mariah Powell had 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench, and returning All-Region first team selection Dallas Ely had 11 for WCU.

Sophomore forward Allison Howard had nine points and seven rebounds and junior guard Helena Gemmell posted nine points, five rebounds and six assists for the Warriors. Senior forward Kelsey Murray added six points and three boards.

Junior center Michelle Boggs had seven points, all in the final six minutes, to help bring the Warriors back.

West Chester led throughout, but ESU slice a nine-point margin to just three (33-30) at halftime, closing with an 8-2 run including three-pointers by Veres and Gemmell.

The Warriors got within one point on their first possession of the second half, but West Chester rebuilt its lead, using a 10-1 run to secure its 15-point lead midway through the period.

Veres hit a three-pointer and Gemmell and Boggs both made two free throws for a 7-0 run while the Warriors forced four turnovers at the defensive end.

It was 60-48 after Sicinski hit a jumper with 4:30 remaining, but junior guard Melissa Poderis (4 points, 5 assists) scored and Boggs had a layup to get back within eight.

Steele-Hook had a putback for a 64-54 advantage with 2:15 left but ESU didn't go away, getting free throws from Boggs and Howard, followed by a second-chance bucket by Howard, to pull within six (54-48) with 1:25 remaining.

After another West Chester turnover, Howard scored to make it 64-60 with 55 seconds left. Ely was 3-for-4 at the foul line down the stretch and the Warriors wouldn't get closer than six the rest of the way.

ESU held a 20-15 advantage in turnovers to help offset a 46-28 rebounding margin for West Chester.

WCU shot 45.6 percent (26-for-57) overall, made three three-pointers and was 14-for-19 at the foul line.

ESU shot 40.7 percent (24-for-59), hit five three's and was 10-for-17 at the line.

The Warriors host Mansfield (1-15, 0-12) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Mounties were idle on Saturday following an 85-45 loss to PSAC East leader Bloomsburg last Wednesday.

ESU was coming off a 61-56 win at Cheyney on Wednesday.