Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. - Dallas Ely and Kendall Benovy led five players in double figures as host West Chester downed visiting Shepherd, 96-68, on the first night of the 28th Annual Carol Eckman Classic inside Hollinger Field House Friday night.
Brittany Sicinski posted 15 points, and Chikisha Steele-Hook added 14 while Serifat Junaid contributed 10 to lead West Chester (1-1) to the win over Shepherd (0-2).
West Chester's 96 points were the most in a game by the Golden Rams since defeating Clarion, 102-68 on December 3, 2011. The Golden Rams are averaging just over 90 points per game in its first two contests, after putting up 87 points in a loss at Philadelphia University last Saturday. With the win, West Chester upped its winning streak in the Carol Eckman Classic to 13 straight games. The Rams have not lost in this tournament since 2006.
In the first game Friday night, Seton Hill topped University of the Sciences, 72-56.
Shepherd actually shot better than West Chester from the field, posting a 41.3 percent shooting average (26-for-63) as compared to the Golden Rams' 37.8 percent (34-for-90). The difference was in the number of attempts (90 to 63) as well as West Chester's advantage on the glass, 56-44, including 30-14 off the offensive boards - not to mention Shepherd's 40 turnovers.
Both Benovy and Steele-Hook registered their first double-doubles. Benovy snared a career-high 13 rebounds, to go along with her 16 points, while Steele-Hook grabbed 11 boards, to complement her career-best 14 points.
West Chester takes on University of the Sciences Saturday night at 7 p.m. in the final game of the Carol Eckman Classic. Shepherd will face Seton Hill in the 5 p.m. game.
