WEST CHESTER, Pa.- The West Chester University women's basketball team (9-11, 5-7 PSAC) returned home on Saturday afternoon to square off against PSAC East rival Shippensburg (10-10, 6-6 PSAC). The contest had 14 lead changes and nine ties but a late run from Shippensburg allowed the Raiders to earn the victory by a final score of 79-70.
This loss is the Golden Rams first setback in five games it is also the squad's first loss against a Division II opponent in the 2019 calendar year.
The Basics:
Final Score: Shippensburg 79 West Chester 70
Records: WCU (9-11, 5-7 PSAC) Shippensburg (10-10, 6-6 PSAC)
Location: Hollinger Field House-West Chester, Pa.
How it Happened:
- In the first quarter, the two sides traded baskets throughout as neither team could get much separation on the scoreboard, which allowed the visiting Raiders to take a 23-22 lead heading to the second quarter of play.
- The Golden Rams went on a 9-1 run early in the second quarter of play to take an eight-point lead (34-26), which would also be the Golden Rams largest lead of the contest. Unfortunately, Shippensburg closed the half on a 12-4 run, which sent the game to the half tied at 38-38.
- West Chester opened the second half on a 6-3 run, which gave the Golden Rams a 46-41 lead and prompted an early Raider timeout. Following this timeout, the two sides traded baskets but West Chester still managed to hold a slim 55-54 lead heading to the final stanza.
- In the fourth quarter, West Chester shot its lowest field goal percentage of the contest going just 7-of-19 (36.8 %) from the field including a disappointing 0-for-7 from beyond the arc. This proved to be costly as the Golden Rams could not keep pace with the Raiders down the stretch as the visitors outscored the Golden Rams 25-15 in the fourth, which allowed Shippensburg to earn the 79-70 road victory.
Golden Ram Rundown:
- Madison Torresin (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) led the Golden Rams in scoring once again as she finished the contest with 23 points and 10 rebounds as one of three Golden Rams in double-figures. Destiny Jefferson (Scranton, Pa./West Scranton) followed up her historic performance from Wednesday evening with another 14 points against the Raiders while also tying for the game-high in steals with three steals on the afternoon. Katherine Fisher (Rutledge, Pa./Strath Haven) was the final Golden Ram in double-figures as she ended with 11 points and seven rebounds, which marked the fifth time in the last six contests that Fisher has ended in double-figures.
- Gabrielle Troisi (Norristown, Pa./Pope John Paul II) was the squads assist leader once again as she ended with seven helpers in addition to recording six points, seven rebounds, and three steals.
- As a team, West Chester ended the game shooting 31-of-77 (40.3 %) from the field while going 3-of-22 (13.6 %) from beyond the arc and 5-of-8 (62.5 %) from the charity stripe in the setback.
A Look at Shippensburg:
- Ariel Jones was the Raiders leading scorer once again with 31 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double of her own thanks in large part to a 22 point and 10 rebound second half performance. Aunbrielle Green was the lone other Raider in double-figures as she scored 17 points while also registering eight rebounds of her own.
- Kryshell Gordy was the Raiders rebounding and assist leader as she pulled down a game-high 18 rebounds while also registering seven assists, and eight points to narrowly miss registering a double-double.
- As a team, Shippensburg shot 24-of-57 (42.1 %) from the field while also shooting 7-of-17 (41.2 %) from three and 24-of-33 (72.7 %) from the stripe. The Raiders also ended the game with a 48-40 advantage in rebounding thanks in large part to a 35-27 edge on the defensive glass.
Next Up:
West Chester will be back in action next Wednesday evening at home against PSAC West foe Pitt-Johnstown with that contest getting underway at 5:30 p.m.
