EAST STROUDSBURG -- Led by Cassie Ksiazek's 21 points and 12 rebounds, the East Stroudsburg University women's basketball team picked up its first win of the season with a 57-47 win over Holy Family on Thursday evening inside Koehler Fieldhouse.

The Warriors (1-7) complete its non-conference schedule on a high note, while the Tigers close out 2021 with a to 6-6 record.

After a slow start to the third quarter that saw its lead dwindle to just four points, ESU responded by outscoring Holy Family 17-4 to close the quarter strong and entered the final quarter with a 15-point advantage. After extending its lead to as high as 20 points at 51-31 in the fourth, the Warriors were able to withstand a late comeback attempt from HFU to secure its first victory since March 4, 2020.

Notables

-        Ksiazek led the way with career-best performance of 21 points on an efficient shooting performance of 8-of-12 from the field and 5-of-7 from the stripe. She added 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in the impressive double-double performance.
 

-        Ksiazek became the first player since Tiffany Lapotsky on Dec. 18, 2018, to record a double-double with 20 points

-        Katie Geisler added eight points, four rebounds and an assist
 

-         Izzy Vogel totaled seven points, four rebounds and two steals along with a block
 

-         Corrin Gill distributed seven assists, while scoring six points and grabbed five rebounds
 

-         ESU shot a season-best 21-of-50 (42.0) from the field, were 3-of-7 (42.9) from behind the three-point line and struggled at the free throw line going 12-of-21 (57.1)
 

-        The Warriors shot 6-of-11 from the field and held Holy Family to just 3-of-20 in the pivotal second quarter, outscoring HFU 14-7. Ksiazek led ESU with nine points at the half.

How it Happened

-          Halfway through the first quarter, the Warriors held a 9-5 advantage with five points from Vogel. Following the first media timeout, ESU would add a layup and a 3-pointer from Pishock to take a 14-9 lead into the second quarter.
 

-          After the Tigers opened the scoring in quarter number two, ESU responded with a 10-0 to grab a 25-11 lead to force a HFU timeout with 3:22 left in the first half.
 

-          The Tigers ended the scoring drought, shortly after the timeout, but the Warriors ultimately entered the locker room with a 12-point lead at 28-16.
 

-          After the break, Holy Family scored the first eight of the first 11 points in the third quarter, slicing the deficit to just four points at 30-26 with 6:02 remaining. After the timeout, the Warriors found its rhythm, finishing the quarter on a 15-4 sprint to lengthen its lead to double digits at 45-30 to end the third quarter strong.
 

-          The Warriors kept momentum to begin the final quarter, extending its lead to 20 points at 51-31. The Tigers would close the game strong, as HFU would get within six points after a 16-2 sprint, but ESU iced the game in the final minute with free throws to pick up the win in the final game of the calendar year.

Up Next

-          The Warriors open PSAC East play on January 5th, when ESU treks to Mansfield for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.
 

-          ESU returns to Koehler Fieldhouse on January 8 when the Warriors welcome Kutztown. The contest against the Golden Bears is set for 1:00 p.m.