WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The West Chester University women’s basketball team (13-12, 9-8 PSAC) overcame a slow start to the contest to defeat Mansfield (2-19, 1-16 PSAC) by a final score of 61-46 on Wednesday evening.
The Basics:
Final Score: West Chester 61 Mansfield 46
Records: WCU (13-12, 9-8 PSAC) Mansfield (2-19, 1-16 PSAC)
Location: Hollinger Field House-West Chester, Pa.
How it Happened:
The first quarter was a relatively low scoring affair as each side struggled to get going from the field but Mansfield held a slight 15-11 edge on the scoreboard after the opening stanza.
In the second quarter, West Chester the two sides traded baskets before the Golden Rams went on a 13-2 run to close the half with a slim 29-26 lead.
West Chester opened the second half on a 14-2 run over the course of the first six minutes of play to claim a commanding 43-28 lead with slightly over three minutes to play. This run helped the Golden Rams to end the third quarter with a commanding 48-35 lead.
In the fourth quarter, the two sides traded baskets for much of the final stanza as West Chester saw its lead grow by two to win by a final score of 61-46.
Golden Ram Rundown:
Madison Torresin (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) ended with a double-double while also leading all-scorers with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Destiny Jefferson (Scranton, Pa./West Scranton) and Rylee Power (Newtown Square, Pa./Marple Newtown) each finished in double-digits, as well as Jefferson, scored 14 while Power finished with 11 points of her own.
Gabrielle Troisi (Norristown, Pa./Pope John Paul II) led the Golden Rams in assists once again as she registered a game-high six helpers in the victory.
As a team, West Chester ended with a slim plus-three (38-35) advantage in rebounding thanks to an 11-7 edge on the offensive glass. West Chester also ended the contest shooting 25-of-63 (39.7 %) from the field while also going 5-of-19 (26.3 %) from three-point range and 6-of-10 (60.0 %) from the charity stripe.
The Golden Rams also ended the contest with a 15-6 advantage in points off turnovers, a 34-24 edge in points in the paint, a 13-6 edge in second-chance points, and an 18-2 advantage in points off the break.
For the Mounties:
Noelle Cameron led the Mounties in scoring as the only player in double-figures with 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds in the loss.
As a team, Mansfield shot 19-of-51 (37.3 %) from the field while also going 5-for-20 (25.0 %) from deep and 3-of-6 (50.0 %) from the charity stripe in the setback.
The Playoff Picture:
This victory improves West Chester to 13-12 overall and 9-8 in PSAC play to keep the Golden Rams in third place in the East. Millersville dropped Shippensburg on Wednesday evening by a final score of 83-74 to lower the Raiders to 11-13 overall and 7-9 in PSAC East play, thus, giving the Golden Rams a little more breathing room in the Eastern division.
Up Next:
West Chester will have a bye on Saturday afternoon before traveling to Lock Haven next Wednesday evening with that contest set to begin at 5:30 p.m.