Brandywine Downed By Greater Allegheny

MEDIA, Pa. -- Penn State Greater Allegheny pulled away in the second half and defeated the Penn State Brandywine women's basketball team 80-56 on Saturday afternoon.

Brandywine was haunted by turnovers during the first quarter as the Lions committed 11 miscues and fell behind 23-13 after 10 minutes.

Lauren Harris' three-pointer extended the GA lead to 26-13 early in the second and the visitors would push the margin to 14 at the 4:30 mark before Brandywine rallied. Erin Michael (Brookhaven, Pa./Sun Valley) and Kaitlyn Johnson (Clifton Heights, Pa./Upper Darby) sank layups and Amelia Brooks (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) added a basket and a free throw during a 7-0 Lions' run that cut the deficit in half.

Greater Allegheny swelled the lead back to double figures with 1:16 to go, but two free throws from Sierra Diawara (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) during the final 21 seconds brought the count to 37-29 at the break.

Brandywine outscored GA 7-2 over the first four minutes of the third quarter, including five points from Diawara, whose two free throws cut the Lions' deficit to just three points; however, the visitors answered with nine-straight points and opened up a 12-point lead by the end of the third quarter.

The final 10 minutes belonged to Greater Allegheny, which outscored Brandywine 26-14.

Diawara set career highs with 19 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double, while Michael added eight points and 10 boards. Brooks pulled down 12 rebounds and Anaiyah Allen (Lutz, Fla./Steinbrenner) tallied seven points, nine rebounds and three assists.

Greater Allegheny, which knocked down 10 three-pointers and forced 28 turnovers, received 19 points from Tomisha Pierce.

Brandywine travels to Eastern University Saturday for a 1:00 PM matchup.