West Chester Battles, Falls To No. 9 California, 67-60

WEST CHESTER, Pa. - West Chester University women's basketball held its own in a 67-60 loss to No. 9-ranked California University of Pennsylvania at Hollinger Field House on Friday night.
 
The Golden Rams (3-6 overall, 1-3 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) trailed the Vulcans (9-1, 3-1) by 12 points early in the third quarter, but they didn't go away.
 
Senior Gabrielle Troisi (Norristown, Pa. / Pope John Paul II) knocked down a free throw to bring West Chester within two with 36 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. However, tough defense and clutch free throws helped California close out the game on a 5-0 run.
 
Troisi grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds in the loss, and senior Katherine Fisher (Rutledge, Pa. / Strath Haven) led the Golden Rams with 16 points. Junior Justyn Roberts (Harrisburg, Pa. / C.D. East) and sophomore Kyra Jefferson (Bethlehem, Pa. / Freedom) scored 12 and 10 points, respectively, for West Chester.
 
West Chester was efficient shooting the ball offensively and strong defensively, making 50.9 percent of its field goals while holding Cal to 36.9 percent.
 
The Golden Rams will have a chance to turn things around quickly as they welcome Slippery Rock University to Hollinger Field House on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.