WEST CHESTER – The East Stroudsburg University women's basketball team fell to a red-hot West Chester, 72-54, in PSAC East action on Wednesday inside Hollinger Fieldhouse.
The Warriors drop to 13-11 on the season and 9-9 in the conference while the Golden Rams push their winning streak to 10 games, putting their record at 17-7 overall and 14-4 in the PSAC.
Notables
- Graduate student Shyla Sanford recorded a team-high 13 points to go along with three rebounds, one assist and one steal
- Ryan Weise was on triple-double watch as the graduate finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and eight assists as well as one steal and block a piece
- Sophomores Katie Geisler and Jessica Polin each scored seven points while combining for four assists and two boards
- Izzy Vogel (four rebounds) and Claire Courter both added six points
- West Chester had the edge in overall shooting, going 28-of-66 (42.4%), while ESU went 21-of-55 (38.2%).
- The teams were identical from three-point territory as both ESU and WCU were 4-of-17 (23.5%)
- Free throw numbers were similar as West Chester shot 12-of-16 (75.0%) and the Warriors finished 8-of-11 (72.7%)
- Despite coming into the night with the conference's second-best scoring defense at 57.5 points per game, the Warriors failed to slow West Chester's number one offense at 75.5 points per contest
- The Golden Rams were led by a double-double from Michelle Kozicki which included 17 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, three steals and block. Emily McAteer (17 points), Anna McTamney (11 points) and Leah Johnson (10 points) were also in double figures
- West Chester dominated ESU on the glass, outrebounding the Warriors 48-28 overall, which included 17-5 on the offensive end
- Over half of the Golden Rams' points came in the paint with 38, compared to 24 for the Warriors
- With tonight's results, the Warriors fall to No. 5 in the PSAC East standings and WCU takes over the top spot
- The Golden Rams sweep the Warriors for the second consecutive season and push their advantage in the all-time series to 83-33
How It Happened
- With the game tied at 2-2 just 30 seconds into the first quarter, the Golden Rams went on an 11-2 run over a four minute span to go in front 13-4. Weise knocked down a three-pointer to get the Warriors back on track, but the teams traded shots the remainder of the period which allowed West Chester to grab a 20-14 lead.
- ESU cut their deficit to four at 22-18 to start the second quarter following back-to-back jumpers from Geisler. However, West Chester answered by scoring eight of the next ten points to go up 30-20 at the 3:56 mark. The Golden Rams would out score ESU by two points over the rest of the first half, taking their largest lead at the time, 34-22.
- West Chester came out on fire to begin the second half, using a 10-4 spurt to go ahead 44-26 with 5:50 remaining. The Warriors responded with 10-2 run of their own to get back within single digits at 46-38, but the Golden Rams edged the Warriors by three points over the final 2:31 to take an 11-point lead (51-40) at the end of the third quarter.
- After Sanford opened the fourth quarter with a layup, the Golden Rams exploded for a 13-0 run, knocking down 5-of-6 from the field to go ahead by 22 points at 64-42. West Chester would proceed to hold on for the 72-54 victory.
Up Next
ESU opens a three-game homestand on Saturday as Millersville visits the Poconos riding a five-game winning streak. The Warriors, along with the athletic department, will hold "A Salute to Women's Sports" in honor of National Girls & Women in Sports Day inside Koehler Fieldhouse.
