Anderson Leads West Chester In Upset Of No. 22 Glenville State

WEST CHESTER, Pa. - West Chester University women's basketball senior Alexis Anderson (Allentown, Pa. / Louis E. Dieruff) returned after missing 23 games due to injury and scored a career-high 25 points in 22 minutes played, leading the Golden Rams to a thrilling 99-96 win over No. 22-ranked Glenville State College. Sunday's upset was the final game of the two-day Carol Eckman Memorial Classic.
 
"Lex was a little nervous coming out but you couldn't tell by her performance," fifth-year WCU head coach Kiera Wooden said. "To upset a team of that caliber with our youth is a great win for our program."
 
The Pioneers (1-1) beat Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference competitor Millersville University 137-81 to open the Eckman Classic on Saturday. That said, the Golden Rams (1-1) knew they were in for a high-scoring day against a Glenville State team that went 30-3 last season.
 
"Shoot-around was hilarious because (assistant coach Allison Hostetter) and myself were running around trying to simulate Glenville's offense," Wooden said. "After seeing that pressure, pace and tempo, I think our players wanted that atmosphere and type of game. We needed the fans, the band and every person on our bench today to get this upset."
 
West Chester put its foot on the gas early, jumping out to a 17-8 lead after a good layup by freshman Sasha Marvel (Medford Lakes, N.J. / Caravel Academy) with 4:07 left in the first quarter. Marvel would finish the game with seven points, nine rebounds and five assists.
 
The Pioneers never let the contest get out of hand as West Chester's biggest lead was 47-35 just before halftime. That said, Glenville State climbed back and erased WCU's lead that lasted over 37 minutes of game time to tie it at 96 with 1:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.
 
In the final 45 seconds, West Chester's defense tightened up to force three missed field goals, and senior Katherine Fisher (Rutledge, Pa. / Strath Haven) knocked down 3-of-4 free throws to secure the victory.
 
Anderson's 25 led five West Chester players that reached double figures on Sunday. Fisher had 19 and junior Justyn Roberts (Harrisburg, Pa. / C.D. East) scored 15 while freshman Leah Johnson (Columbus, N.J. / Notre Dame) dropped 11 points, eight assists and eight rebounds and senior Gabrielle Troisi (Norristown, Pa. / Pope John Paul II) contributed with 10, nine and five.
 
The 99-point scoring effort for the Golden Rams is their highest in a game since beating PSAC opponent Clarion University 106-71 on Nov. 19, 2017.
 
West Chester looks to carry its momentum on the road in its next game at Wilmington University (Del.) on Thursday at 6 p.m. The Golden Rams are back in Hollinger Field House for their fourth game of the season on Sunday at 1 p.m. against Jefferson University.
 

The final seconds of today's upset! Katherine Fisher knocks down a free throw, and the defense tightened up!

SOUND UP for some @MikeSamsel magic ?? pic.twitter.com/WCNjIUanAU

— West Chester Golden Rams (@WCUAthletics) November 10, 2019