EAST STROUDSBURG – The East Stroudsburg University women's basketball team used a 24-11 third quarter scoring advantage over Pitt-Johnstown to break open a close game as the Warriors defeated the Mountain Cats 57-39 on Saturday evening at Koehler Fieldhouse in a PSAC crossover matchup.
The Warriors win their third straight game to move to 6-1 on the season and 2-0 in the PSAC while the Mountain Cats fall to 4-3 and 1-1 in the conference.
With ESU in front 28-24 midway through the third quarter, the Warriors proceeded to outscore Pitt-Johnstown, 15-2, over a 4:15 span to put the game out of reach, leading 43-27 heading into the final period. It the closest the Mountain Cats would get the rest of the way as ESU was ahead by no less than 16 points throughout the fourth quarter to secure the 57-39 victory.
Notables
- Cassidy Saylor was one of three Warriors in double figures as the sophomore recorded a career-high 16 points on a perfect 7-of-7 from the field while adding three rebounds, two blocks and an assist
- Graduate student Ryan Weise filled it up for the second straight night, adding 12 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, one block and one steal
- In 29 minutes, Izzy Vogel registered 10 points and seven rebounds to go with one assist, block and steal a piece
- Corrin Gill did a little bit of everything for the Warriors in her second straight start as the sophomore notched four points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals
- The Warriors was an efficient 22-of-50 (44.0%) from the field, 6-of-15 (40.0%) from three but only 7-of-15 (50.0%) from the charity stripe
- ESU recorded their best defensive performance of the season, holding the Mountain Cats to just 14-of-49 (28.6%) from the floor and 2-of-18 (11.1%) from beyond the arc. Pitt-Johnstown went 9-of-12 (75.0%) from the free throw line.
- Olivia Fasick scored a team-high 14 points for the Mountain Cats while adding two rebounds and three assists. Cassidy Crawford totaled eight points and seven rebounds
- The Warriors held the edge in rebounds 37-29 and turnovers were even at 18-18
How It Happened
- Neither team could find an early rhythm offensively as the Warriors were in front 6-5 with 4:38 remaining in the first quarter. ESU would proceed to outscore the Mountain Cats, 6-2, the rest of the way on buckets from Shyla Sanford, Vogel and Saylor to take a 12-7 advantage.
- The first bucket of the second quarter came at the 6:55 mark and Pitt-Johnstown used a quick 6-0 run to jump ahead 13-12. ESU would end their drought with 2:50 to go in the first half and scored seven of the final nine points to find themselves leading 19-16 at the break.
- Four quick points from the Warriors to open the second half stretched their edge to 23-16 and as soon as the Mountain Cats cut their deficit to two points (23-21), ESU went back up 28-21 half through the third quarter. With ESU leading 28-24, the Warriors manufactured 15-3 spurt over the final 4:15 for a 43-27 edge.
- The Warriors carried that momentum over into the fourth quarter, outscoring Pitt-Johnstown 9-4 to grab their largest lead of the game at 52-31. Over the last 7:19 of the game, the teams combined for 13 points with the Mountain Cats getting no closer than 16 points as ESU secured the 57-39 victory.
Up Next
The Warriors begin their three-game road swing at Holy Family on Saturday, Dec. 10, for a non-conference matchup at noon
