Cold Spell Too Much To Overcome In Lions’ Setback At York

YORK, Pa. – The Penn State Brandywine women's basketball team was held without a point for more than seven minutes to begin the fourth quarter as the Lions suffered a 58-52 defeat at Penn State York on Tuesday night.

Brandywine moved in front 41-36 following two free throws from Nikki Velez (Gloucester, N.J./Gloucester City) with 1:55 to go in the third quarter, but those would be the Lions' final points during the next 9:05. York took advantage, scoring 14-straight points, including 11 consecutive tallies to open the final stanza.

Velez ended the drought by completing a four-point play, knocking down a free throw after she was fouled, while burying a three-pointer. Dairayonna Stewart-Harold (New Castle, Del./William Penn) followed with a basket and after York made one-of-two free throws, Dana D'Ambrosio (Secane, Pa./Ridley) added a layup to bring the Lions within two at 51-49 with 1:53 to go.

Brandywine brought the deficit to one when Velez recorded a three-point play at the 1:02 mark; however, the Lions were held scoreless the rest of the way and York put the game away with three free throws and a layup during the final minute.

Brandywine led wire-to-wire during the final half and held a 32-28 at the halftime break. The Lions took a lead as large as seven points following Madison D'Ambrosio's (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) three-pointer midway through the third period.

Velez tallied 19 points and six rebounds, while Amanda Floyd (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) added 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals for the Lions, who shot 27 percent from the field and committed just 10 turnovers. D'Ambrosio tallied nine points and six boards.

Brandywine forced 17 York turnovers and limited the hosts to 2-of-17 shooting from beyond the arc, but the difference in the game came at the free throw line, where York knocked down 20-of-34 attempts. Brandywine made just six trips to the charity stripe, making five.

The Lions (9-5, 6-2 PSUAC) open a weekend in western Pennsylvania Friday at Penn State Fayette (6:00 pm).