In front of a large crowd on “Think Pink” Day, the West Chester University Lady Rams (15-8, 6-2 PSAC East) proved to be too strong for the East Stroudsburg University Lady Warriors as they began their home-stand with a 75-60 victory. This marked West Chester’s third consecutive win, and sixth win out of their last seven games.The win solidifies West Chester’s spot at second in the division, while East Stroudsburg dropped from fourth to fifth behind Kutztown University.
“The game was very important,” junior forward Dana Weems said following the victory over the Warriors. “They were tied with Cheyney for a spot in the playoffs. This game was really important for us to win.”
“It’s definitely a big win for this team as far as playoffs are concerned,” added junior guard Natalie Winters. “Cheyney beat them the other night, we just beat them. We’re just taking it one game at a time. This was a big win for us.”
The Lady Rams never trailed in the game and held a six-point lead going into the locker room at halftime despite shooting 36.1 percent from the field. Weems recorded nine rebounds, including five off the offensive glass, to lead all players at the midway point of the game.
“It feels good to get out on a team and keep the lead and not ever look back especially against a team like East Stroudsburg who has been a powerhouse the last two years,” Winters said of never trailing in the game.
Winters and senior captain Catherine Andrews led West Chester with seven points, while Monika Fogelsanger paced East Stroudsburg with seven.
West Chester came out in the second half and ran right past East Stroudsburg. The Lady Rams pushed the lead up to as many as 19 points, and the Lady Warriors could only get the lead down to five early on in the half.
Even though she was playing with an injured shoulder, Dana Weems led West Chester with 14 points, 14 rebounds, six steals and a block.
“Crashing the boards and getting second chance shots and going to the basket. The first half they [referees] really didn’t call anything. The second half they did, so I just kept attacking the basket,” Weems said of her success throughout the game.
Winters also finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Janelle Garber picked up another double-double as she finished with 12 points and 10 boards.
This was a total team effort as four out of the five starters finished with double figures, while Andrews had nine points.
“I’m in the gym two days a week extra shooting with Assistant Coach Wooden,” Winters said of her emergence over the past couple of game. “We work on my shot and things off of our offensive sets. It’s all confidence.”
“She [Winters] attacked the basket more today than she has been,” Head Coach Deirdre Kane said about Winters game. “We’ve been stressing that to her because she is good at attacking the basket.”
While they normally shoot very well from the foul line, West Chester finished 10-21 (47.6 percent) for the game from the charity stripe.
“It was awful,” Kane said of their troubles. “We’re usually good at the foul line, and one of our problems is not getting to the foul line. I don’t get that at all, maybe because we haven’t been home in awhile.”
Fogelsanger led all scorers with 19 points. She also had 13 rebounds, five steals, and finished 11-11 from the free-throw line. Jackie Yandrisevits finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.
This victory set up the all important game against the Cheyney University Lady Wolves on Wednesday Feb. 20. A win would all but assure the Lady Rams of the second seed and the hosting of a playoff game, while a loss could drop WCU to third and a possible trip to Cope Hall against Cheyney when the playoffs start.
“We are going to go out there and get a win,” Weems said of the upcoming rematch with Cheyney University on Wednesday. “We definitely have confidence for the Cheyney game, we’re ready for them.”
On Wednesday Feb. 13, West Chester beat Columbia Union 85-61.
Catherine Andrews led West Chester with 17 points, while Janelle Garber and Natalie Winters pitched in with 15 and 14 respectively. Dana Weems led all players with 12 rebounds.
“Think Pink” Day was held at Hollinger Field House on Saturday to benefit breast cancer awareness. The money raised will approach $3,000.
CLEARING THE NOTEBOOK
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Janelle Garber. The sophomore center averaged 13.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in helping lead the Lady Rams to a 2-0 week.
UPCOMING GAMES: This week, the Lady Rams look to exact some revenge against Cheyney University on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday at 1 p.m., West Chester entertains Mansfield University. Both games can be heard on 91.7 WCUR FM as Mike DeSumma and Mike Heiman bring you all the live action.
WHERE THEY STAND: In the PSAC East, West Chester currently sits in second place, a half game ahead of Cheyney and two games behind Millersville.
LJ Harrell is a second-year student majoring in business. He can be reached at LH639694@wcupa.edu.