LOCK HAVEN – The East Stroudsburg University women's basketball was unable to overcome an off night shooting as Lock Haven defeated the Warriors, 49-44, on Wednesday at Thomas Fieldhouse.
ESU closed out the regular season with a 15-13 record overall and 11-11 mark in the PSAC, while the Bald Eagles keep their postseason hopes alive by moving to 11-15 on the season and 9-12 in the conference.
After the Warriors grabbed a 40-38 lead late in the fourth quarter, the Bald Eagles proceeded to go on a 11-4 run, which included making 6-of-8 at the free throw line over the final minute and a half to earn the victory.
Notables
- Graduate student Ryan Weise (six rebounds, three steals, one assist) and sophomore Leah Pishock (four rebounds, one steal) each finished with a game-high 13 points
- Shyla Sanford added six points, six rebounds, three assists as well as one steal and block apiece
- Sophomore Izzy Vogel stuffed the stat sheet, recording four points, nine rebounds, five steals, three assists and one block
- Fellow classmate Katie Geisler contributed four points and six rebounds
- Neither team could find an offensive rhythm all night as ESU shot 15-of-57 (26.3%) overall and 5-of-15 (33.3%) from three-point territory, compared to 15-of-52 from the field and 3-of-15 (20.0%) from long distance for Lock Haven
- The charity stripe proved to be the difference as the Bald Eagles converted 16-of-22 (72.7%) attempts while the Warriors were 9-of-14 (64.3%)
- Lock Haven held a slight advantage in rebounds, 46-40 (11-10 offensive), points in the paint (20-18) and points off turnovers (11-5)
- The Warriors committed 15 turnovers while the Bald Eagles had 17 miscues
- Olivia Smith was Lock Haven's leading scorer with 10 points while Alana Robinson (five rebounds, four steals, two assists, two blocks) and Jenadia Jordan (six rebounds) each poured in nine points
- Weise knocked down her 90th three-pointer of the season to bring her career total to 151, which is six away from moving into second all-time in school history
- The Warriors remain No. 4 in the PSAC East standings headed into the last weekend of the regular season. If Kutztown, who currently sits at No. 5, were to win their final two games, the Golden Bears would jump ESU in the standings.
How It Happened
- With ESU leading 5-4 at the 7:25 mark, the Bald Eagles went on a 9-0 run over the next four-plus minutes to jump ahead 13-5. Pishock snapped the scoreless drought for the Warriors with a layup, but Lock Haven answered with a bucket to hold a 15-7 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
- The Bald Eagles stretched their lead to 17-7 to open the second quarter and the offensive struggles continued for ESU until Polin knocked down a three-pointer and Geisler converted a layup to cut the Warriors' deficit to 17-12. Both teams made one shot the over the final 3:40 of the first half as the Bald Eagles held a 19-15 edge.
- ESU came out on firing to begin the second half as the Warriors made four of their first six shots, which included a pair of three pointers from Weise to pull ahead 25-22. However, the Bald Eagles responded with five quick points to regain a 27-25 advantage. Over the 4:05 of the third quarter, ESU outscored Lock Haven by three points to take a 30-29 lead.
- The Warriors carried over their momentum over into the fourth quarter, tallying five of the first seven points to go up 35-31. Lock Haven would answer with a 5-0 spurt to pull back ahead 36-35, but four quick points from ESU gave the Warriors a 39-36 lead at the 3:28. After team scored for the next minute and a half, the Bald Eagles ripped off a 6-1 run to regain a 42-40 lead. Pishock would tie the score at 42-42 with a pair of free throws, but over the final 1:33 the Bald Eagles outscored the Warriors by seven to secure the win.
Up Next
The Warriors turn their attention to the PSAC Tournament, which is scheduled to begin on Monday, February 27. Visit esuwarriors.com for more information as it becomes available.
