Box Score
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HILADELPHIA, Pa. – Brittany Sicinski scored 24 points, but it was not enough as host Philadelphia University defeated West Chester 90-87 in the season opener for both squads at the Gallagher Center.
Serafat Junaid came off the bench to chip in with 11 points and lead the Golden Rams (0-1) with 10 rebounds.
The first half was tight throughout with nine ties, Sicinski led West Chester with 13 points and Monica Shacker scored 16 of her team high 23 to lead PhillyU.
The Rams led the Golden Rams 43-41 at the break, shooting 48.5% from the field, but just 8 of 16 from the free throw line.
West Chester shot just 13 for 33 in the half, but made 11 of 16 from the line to keep the game close.
PhillyU jumped to a 15 point lead 60-45 five minutes into the second half. West Chester rallied making three consecutive three-point shots, two from
Dallas Ely, who scored 12 of her 16 points in the second half, to trim the lead to six at 60-54.
Jasmen Clark connected on her second three of the half, to get West Chester within three 63-60 with 13 minutes to play.
The Golden Rams tied the game at 68 with nine minutes to go, but with the game tied at 70 PhillyU when on an 8-0 run, and had an 85-76 lead with 2:30 to play.
West Chester got as close as two points twice down the stretch, and had a chance to tie, but a Dallas Ely three withd two seconds left would not fall, and the Rams held on for the 90-87 win.
West Chester will host the 28
th annual Carol Eckman Memorial Tournament on Friday and Saturday at Hollinger Field House. The Golden Rams will take on Shepherd University Friday at 7 p.m. which follows the opening contest between Seton Hill and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia slated for a 5 p.m. start. On Saturday Seton Hill faces Shepherd at 5 p.m., and West Chester battles with the Sciences at 7 p.m.
