Nikki Velez
Nikki Velez

Brandywine Locks Down York To Win Fourth-Straight

YORK, Pa. -- Penn State Brandywine limited Penn State York to 23 percent shooting as the Lions claimed a fourth-straight Penn State University Athletic Conference women's basketball victory, winning 54-40 on the road Saturday afternoon.

Brandywine, which yielded just 27 points when the teams met earlier this season in Media, held York to 2-of-16 shooting from three-point range and forced 22 turnovers.

The Lions received a game-high 15 points and seven rebounds from Brandi James (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro), while Nikki Velez (Gloucester, N.J./Gloucester City) added 12 points, seven steals and five boards.

Madison D'Ambrosio (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) and Madison Michael (Brookhaven, Pa./Sun Valley) both chipped in 10 points. D'Ambrosio also handed out five assists and grabbed five rebounds, while Michael pulled in four boards.

Brandywine led throughout the first quarter, but a 7-2 spurt to end the period allowed the hosts to tie the score at 13-13 after 10 minutes.

D'Ambrosio and James combined for the Lions first 10 points of the second quarter as Brandywine jumped in front 23-17 after two James' free throws at the 5:44 mark. Michael knocked down a jumper and followed by sinking two free throws, while Velez canned a jump shot, moving the Lions' lead to double figures for the first time late in the second period.

James accounted for all five of Brandywine's third quarter points. The Lions withstood a scoreless spell of 6:20 to end the stanza by limiting York to seven points to hold a 36-30 edge after three quarters.

Velez carried the offense in the fourth quarter, scoring eight of her 12 points during the final 10 minutes. She netted Brandywine's first points since midway through the third quarter, knocking down two free throws with 8:25 to go, and then buried a triple 32 seconds later that extended the margin to 11 points.

Another Velez three-pointer, along with baskets from Michael, D'Ambrosio and Nicolette Napoleon (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) during the final five minutes helped Brandywine secure its 16th victory of the season.

The Lions (16-7, 13-2 PSUAC) are on the road again Monday at Penn State Hazleton beginning at 6:00 pm. That game will be played Monday rather than the originally-scheduled date of Tuesday because of snow expected in the Hazleton area.