Box Score SHIPPESNBURG, Pa. - Brittany Sicinski (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) had 20 points and seven assists, while
Anna Kuntz (Camp Hill, Pa./Trinity) posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. But, host Shippensburg downed visiting West Chester by a score of 85-72 inside Heiges Field House Tuesday evening.
West Chester (4-3, 2-2 PSAC) closed multiple double-digit deficits to six points on numerous occasions, but could not crawl all the way back against a determined Shippensburg (5-1, 3-1) squad. Both teams, picked to finish first and second in the preseason coaches' poll, returned all five starters from a year ago.
The loss ended a personal three-game win streak in the series between the two Eastern Division rivals and marked the first time Shippensburg had beaten West Chester inside Heiges since January 2013.
The Raiders shot 54 percent from the field (27-for-50), including 52.9 percent (9 of 17) from beyond the 3-point arc in the win. Shippensburg was also 22-for-27 from the free throw line while West Chester went 8 of 13.
Sicinski added five rebounds to her 20-point night while Dallas Ely posted 17 points and Kendall Benovy 13. The Golden Rams' bench contributed just eight points to the cause.
West Chester will return home on Friday and Saturday to host the second weekend of crossover games with the Western Division. Slippery Rock comes calling to Hollinger Field House on Friday at 5:30 p.m. followed by Edinboro on Saturday at 2 p.m.
