WEST CHESTER, Pa.- The West Chester University women's basketball team (10-12, 7-8) captured its second win in as many games over Shepherd (4-18, 1-14) by a 63-39 final on Wednesday evening in Hollinger Field House. West Chester outscored its guests 41-17 in the second half to break open a game that was tied at 22 at the half and coast to the 24-point victory.
The Golden Rams finished with four in double figures, led by a 23-point, 14-rebound double-double by
Michelle Kozicki (Wilmington, Del./Padua) for her what was her 14
th double-double of the season. Kozicki was one of four Golden Rams in double figures as
Anna McTamney (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth Whitemarsh) added 15 to go along with 12 points from
Bella Mazur (Linwood, N.J./Mainland Regional) and 11 from
Erin Daley (Lafayette Hill, Pa./Plymouth Whitemarsh).
McTamney led the team in assists with five, while Kozicki came away with the team lead in steals (six) and blocks (three).
West Chester shot north of 50.0 % in each of the last three quarters, including a game-high 53.3 % (8-of-15) from the field in the fourth to close out the victory. The Golden Rams ended the game shooting 47.1 % (24-of-51) from the field, including a 33.3 % (4-of-12) effort from three-point range, which included three makes in the second half. West Chester also went 11-for-16 (68.8 %) at the free-throw line.
The first half was a slow start offensively for both teams as it featured a combined 27 turnovers and just 22 points by each team, sending the game to the break even at 22-22.
West Chester shot just 33.3 % (4-of-12) in the first quarter but held a 12-8 lead heading into the second and, despite shooting 50.0 % (5-of-10) from the field in the second, found itself tied at 22-22 at the break.
Bella Mazur scored a first-half high eight points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, while Lamaria Estridge led Shepherd in scoring with six points on 2-of-6 shooting.
West Chester opened the second half on a 12-3 run, including a 9-0 run early, shooting 5-for-11 (45.5 %) from the field through the first seven-and-a-half minutes to take a 35-24 lead. West Chester continued its dominant third-quarter performance, outscoring Shepherd 20-9 to carry a 42-31 lead into the fourth.
West Chester opened the fourth on another 10-0 run led by seven points from Kozicki to take a 52-31 lead midway through the fourth before stretching its lead to as many as 25 with 3:35 to play in the 24-point (63-39) victory.
Shepherd was led by nine points from Samiyah Nasir as no Rams finished in double figures in the setback. The Rams shot just 25.0 % in both the third and fourth quarter, ending the game shooting 28.6 % (16-of-56) from the field, including a 2-for-11 (18.2 %) from three-point range. Shepherd also went 5-for-8 (62.5 %) at the line.
Thanks in part to Kozicki's seventh double-double in as many games, West Chester ended the game with a 37-34 rebounding lead, translating into a 5-4 lead in second-chance points and a 32-18 lead in points in the paint.
After committing 15 first-half turnovers, West Chester limited itself to just three in the second half and forced Shepherd into 23 for the game, ending with a 24-9 lead in points off turnovers.
Up Next
West Chester will be back in action on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. for Senior Day vs Mansfield.
