Brandywine Escapes Schuylkill With Two-Point Win

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. – A go-ahead three-pointer from Nikki Velez (Gloucester, N.J./Gloucester City) with 41 seconds to play helped the Penn State Brandywine women's basketball team overcome a six-point deficit in the final four minutes and avoid the upset bid of Penn State Schuylkill as the Lions held on for a 63-61 victory Saturday afternoon.

The Lions trailed by as many as 10 points during the final quarter before a triple by Velez with 6:56 remaining jumpstarted the offense. She added two free throws on the Lions' next possession to make the score 52-48 and later capped a 9-2 spurt with a jumper at the 4:34 mark.

That jumper brought the deficit to just two, but Schuylkill responded with four-straight points. Chelsea Dent's (Yeadon, Pa./Penn Wood) three-pointer cut the deficit in half and Dent followed with another jumper during the Lions' ensuing possession before Velez hit the go-ahead basket.

Brandi James (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) sank three free throws during the final 20 seconds to make the lead five points before Dominique Grasso buried a three at the buzzer to provide the final margin.

Velez recorded game highs with 16 points and five steals, while Dent added 10 points, four rebounds and three assists. James pulled down seven rebounds and netted 11 points.

Brandywine allowed Schuylkill to shoot 46 percent from the field, but the Lions forced 23 turnovers, while committing just six of their own. Schuylkill was led by a 16-point effort from Nicole Sacco.

The Lions (17-6, 10-2 PSUAC) play at home for the final time during the regular season on Tuesday when they host Penn State York for Senior Night. Dent will be honored prior to the game.