Box Score
ERIE, Pa. – Megan Stewart and Alex Lennon each posted 17 points as visiting West Chester stunned No. 22 Gannon, 71-66, in a PSAC crossover women’s basketball tilt inside the Hammermill Center Tuesday evening.
West Chester (8-2), who saw its five-game win streak come to a close yesterday, picked up its second win over a nationally ranked opponent this season while Gannon (6-3) saw its modest two-game win streak end.
Stewart knocked down both of her foul shots with 10 seconds remaining and then secured the rebound of a 3-pointer from the Golden Knights that was off the mark in the waning moments to lock up the upset.
Gannon held West Chester without a field goal for the final 5:23. However, the Golden Rams converted six of seven free throws to hold off the late-charging Knights. West Chester saw a nine-point advantage dwindle to three (69-66) with 14 ticks left, before Stewart hammered in the final nail in the coffin inside the Hammermill Center.
Stewart also registered four assists in the contest, leaving her at 399 for her career. She is just one assist shy of joining former hardwood star Colleen McNamara as the only two Rams with 400 career assists.
The win over nationally ranked Gannon, marked the third straight win for West Chester over a nationally ranked opponent, dating back to last year. Two of those three wins came on the road in the other team’s home gym. The Rams also defeated Bowie State, who has been listed among others receiving votes, earlier this season.
A layup from Lennon early in the second half put West Chester on top for good. The Golden Rams trailed the Golden Knights, 35-31, at the break, but outscored them, 40-31, in the second half to pull out the road win.
Lennon’s layup ignited a 22-10 run that bulged West Chester’s lead to 11 points (61-50) with 8:20 remaining. From there, the game see-sawed back-and-forth with the Rams’ free throws down the stretch spelling the difference.
Allison Hostetter finished one point shy of her fifth double-double of the season. She put up nine points and 10 rebounds. She also dished out a team-high five assists. Lennon hauled down seven boards and was credited with four steals and two blocked shots. Carly Strickland contributed a career-high eight points off the bench.
Gannon’s Amanda Dacek, Julie Kleber and Danielle Tucker each scored 13 points to lead the Golden Knights. Jennifer Papich notched 11.
West Chester returns home to the friendly confines of Hollinger Field House Saturday afternoon when the Golden Rams usher in a new era for the historic building as a brand new scoreboard will hang above the court for the matchup against Edinboro. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
Saturday will be Parent's Day at Hollinger Field House. West Chester University's women's basketball squad will recognize the parents of its 2010-11 team members in a ceremony before tip.
