Image: WCU’s Erin Daley in action (photo via wcugoldenrams.com by Tom Silknitter)
The West Chester University (WCU) women’s basketball team broke its losing streak with a strong performance on Saturday afternoon, Feb.1. The Golden Rams pulled off a big win over PSAC-East leader Lock Haven University, securing a 58-43 victory. Junior Michelle Kozicki, originally from Wilmington, Del., led WCU with 21 points and 11 rebounds, recording her 13th double-double of the season. Freshman Erin Daley, originally from Lafayette Hill, Pa., also finished the game in double figures, scoring 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting. Sophomore Alainna Hopta, originally from York, Pa., led the team in assists with five dimes and three steals.
WCU displayed strong shooting, hitting 44.2% (23-of-52) from the field, including 55.6% (5-of-9) from three-point range.
With six early points from Kozicki, WCU jumped out to a 12-8 first-quarter lead, shooting 46.2% (6-of-13) from the field. The Golden Rams outscored Lock Haven 8-5 during the first six minutes of the second quarter, putting WCU up 20-13. All 8 points were scored by Daley. Lock Haven closed the half on a 9-5 run to cut the Golden Rams’ lead to 25-22 at halftime.
At the half, West Chester shot 45.8% (11-of-24) from the field, including 3-for-5 (60.0%) from three-point range. Daley led the way with 15 points, finishing a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, including a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range.
WCU opened the third quarter on a 13-2 run led by six points from junior Anna McTamney, originally from Plymouth Meeting, Pa. WCU used this early third-quarter run to extend their lead to a solid 43-30 as they headed into the fourth, hitting 53.8% (7-of-13) of their shots from the field.
Lock Haven outscored WCU 7-4 in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, cutting the Golden Rams’ lead down to 47-37. However, a Kozicki layup pushed the advantage back to 12 with 4:45 remaining. With 2:58 left, McTamney nailed a three-pointer to extend WCU’s lead to 52-40. That shot sparked a 9-2 run, fueled by six points from Bella Mazur, originally from Linwood, N.J., putting the Golden Rams in control with a 58-42 lead with just a minute to go.
Lock Haven University struggled offensively throughout the game, shooting just 26.3% (15-of-57) from the field, including a 23.1% (3-of-13) effort from three-point range, while going 10-for-12 (83.3%) at the line.
This past Wednesday, Feb. 3, the Golden Rams secured a 63-39 win over Shepard. Once again, Kozicki led WCU with 23 points and 14 rebounds. This lead helped her record her 14th double-double of the season. Following Kozicki was McTamney, who had 15 points. McTamney also led the team in assists with five, while Kozicki led in steals with six and three blocks.
WCU shot over 50% in each of the final three quarters, finishing with a game-high 53.3% (8-of-15) in the fourth to seal the win. The Golden Rams ended the game shooting 47.1% (24-of-51) overall, with a 33.3% (4-of-12) mark from beyond the arc, hitting three of those in the second half. At the free-throw line,WCU went 11-of-16 (68.8%).
This upcoming Saturday, Feb. 8, West Chester will have their Senior Day vs. Mansfield.
Sophie Stair is an English major with a minor in Journalism. ss1029515@wcupa.edu