Box Score
INDIANA, Pa. – Freshman forward Alex Lennon posted a single-game school record of seven blocked shots in just 17 minutes of action Sunday as visiting West Chester cruised to a 57-41 win over host Indiana (Pa.) in a PSAC crossover women’s basketball tilt.
West Chester (8-2) ended a personal four-game losing streak to IUP (6-4) with its first win over the Crimson Hawks in Indiana since December 2002. With the win, West Chester evened the overall series with IUP at 8-8. Lennon matched the mark of seven blocks in a game set by both Gina Tophoney in 1998 and Angela Haas in 1996.
Lennon, coming off a preseason injury and playing in just her second game of the year, scored six points and grabbed eight rebounds in the contest as well. Her spark off the bench was exactly what the Golden Rams needed.
“We talked about red-shirting her,” WCU head coach Deirdre Kane said. “But, she wanted to play and we wanted her to play. I don’t know where we would have been this weekend without her. Shots she didn’t block, she certainly altered.”
IUP shot just 24.6 percent from the floor as a result of Lennon’s presence while being held to a season-low 42 points in the game.
West Chester held a 10-point lead (34-24) with 14 minutes left in the game – very similar to Saturday’s loss at California (Pa.).
“I looked up at the clock and thought, ‘Oh no. Here we go again,’” Kane said. “But, I think we proved that we can play with the teams out here on their court.”
The Golden Rams’ lead crept to 16 points with 6:38 left as the visitors were determined not to stumble down the stretch again on Sunday.
Megan Stewart led all scorers with 12 points and five assists. She averages 12.2 points per game in her career against the Hawks (5 games). She posted a career-high 19 points against IUP in her first career start on Jan. 12, 2008.
Renata Neal put up 10 points for the Rams, marking the second time in her career that she has reached double figures against IUP.
IUP’s Lacey Claar scored 11 points and dished out seven assists in a losing effort.
West Chester travels to Wilmington (Del.) on Wednesday evening for a makeup of its non-league game that was snowed out on Dec. 21.
