EAST STROUDSBURG, PA – Leah Johnson (Columbus, N.J./Notre Dame) posted her fifth double-double of the season to lift visiting West Chester to a 64-53 victory over homestanding East Stroudsburg in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) women's basketball contest inside Koehler Fieldhouse Monday night.
West Chester (5-10, 3-6 PSAC) limited East Stroudsburg (1-14, 0-12) to just 14 points in the middle two quarters while building an 18-point advantage. The Warriors responded with 26 points over the final 10 minutes – one less than they had scored all game to that point – but their comeback bid fell far short of the mark.
The Golden Rams went on a 14-4 run over a seven-minute stretch of the second quarter that saw the guests expand their lead from three to 12. West Chester never trailed in the contest, eventually ballooning its lead to as many as 21 early in the fourth, before ESU started its ill-fated comeback.
A sizeable advantage on the glass by the Golden Rams (49-32) helped the visitors build its large lead in the middle quarters. WCU's effectiveness from the foul line down the stretch (7-for-8) enabled them to hold the hosts at bay. The Golden Rams got to the line 22 times on the night, converting 20 of them.
Johnson was the only Ram in double figures in the game.
Kyra Jefferson (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) added nine points and grabbed five rebounds while four other players chipped in six apiece.
Abby Penjuke (Collegeville, Pa./Methacton) grabbed six boards to go along with her six points.
ESU's Ryan Wiese led the Warriors with 21 points. Teammate Izzy Vogel had 11 points and seven rebounds. East Stroudsburg shot just 33.4 percent from the floor on the evening. They made just 10 baskets in the first 30 minutes of the game.
West Chester returns home Wednesday evening for a 5:30 p.m. PSAC contest against Lock Haven.
