On Saturday Dec. 1, the West Chester University Lady Rams (5-1) continued their strong start as they defeated Slippery Rock University 71-53 for their fifth consecutive victory to start the season. Coach Deirdre Kane was able to play all of the reserves in a game that West Chester controlled from the first tip.
“Hopefully getting the reserves in will help. If somebody goes down with an injury now they get into the rotation so it’s not like the first time they’ve been out there,” Kane said of the depth of her bench. “I’m a big believer in everybody has to be prepared. They have to be ready when their opportunity comes.”
West Chester scored the games first 18 points, and 22 of the first 27 as they would never look back in route for the win.
“I’m thankful that Slippery Rock was cold getting off the bus. They were very, very cold but we just executed well. We had no trouble with their press and that big lead gave us a lot of confidence,” Coach Kane said of The Rock’s early play. “I knew they would come back though, beware of early leads, they did come back and make a game of it.”
Senior Katie Kline led the Lady Rams with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Captain Catherine Andrews added 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. She also shot 42.8 percent from behind the arc.
“I encourage Catherine to show shot because now everybody’s got her and she’s deadly if she does that little one dribble pull up. That’s Cat’s shot and the fact that they are going in is the cherry on the top,” Kane said of Andrew’s ability to drain three point shots. “Vitzakovitch and Winters, I always knew they had that deadly three point range. They are comfortable now. Comfort is a great thing in the mind of an athlete.”
Throughout the first half, West Chester committed numerous fouls much to the chagrined of Coach Kane.
“I’m very aware of the fouls, 13 out of 22 in the first half,” Kane said. “I talked to them at halftime. I talked to them at halftime and said that that’s going to be an occupational hazard for us. The reason kids don’t foul is because they don’t want to come out of the game. You don’t foul because you’re selfishly trying to get your own minutes. You don’t foul because that sends the other team to foul line and gives them an opportunity to catch us. When you have a big lead, why play reckless like that?” The Lady Rams committed 22 total fouls while Slippery Rock only had 13 called on them.
Janelle Garber has been stepping up and been playing great in her first season as a starter at West Chester. Garber entered the game leading the Lady Rams in scoring averaging 13.8 points per game with a couple of double-doubles. She finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and a blocked shot on the afternoon.
“Dominique Lewis was a great player,” Garber said. “I do have big shoes to fill. I’ve worked hard since August, so has everyone else. Our hard work has got us where we are now,” Garber said. “I have to be ready to go. There’s no time to sit on the bench and watch how the game is going. You have to be ready to go and set the tone for the whole team. You have to get out there and set the tone for the entire game.”
On Sunday, the Lady Rams suffered their first loss of the season as the Edinboro University Fighting Lady Scots invaded West Chester and won 72-69.
The first half was back and forth as both teams took turns taking the lead. West Chester would shoot and astounding seventeen free throws in the first half, while Edinboro attempted thirteen. West Chester would also shoot 50 percent from behind the arc, while the Lady Scots went four of fourteen from long range.
After suffering a back injury in the first half, Janelle Garber would return with a vengeance to lead the team in rebounds (15), including ten defensive boards, and second in scoring (14) behind Katie Kline, who finished with 15 points. Catherine Andrews dealt out six assists but also committed six turnovers.
Leading Edinboro was guard Samantha Reimer who finished with a game-high 23 points. Forward Rachel Johnson would finish with 15 points and a game-high 19 rebounds. Kelsey Conklin also recorded a double double with 14 points and ten rebounds.
Overall, West Chester shot 39 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from the free throw line. Edinboro shot 30.8 percent from the field and 73.7 percent from the free throw line.
Next weekend, West Chester hosts the WCU Alumni Classic. On Saturday, Lincoln visits Hollinger Field House at 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, Columbia Union will play the Lady Ram’s at 4 p.m.
LJ Harrell is a second-year student majoring in business. He can be reached at LH639694@wcupa.edu