Hazleton Downs Brandywine 73-62

HAZLETON, Pa. – The Penn State Brandywine women's basketball team dropped a 73-62 decision at Penn State Hazleton on Wednesday night.

Brandywine led for nearly the entire first quarter, but Hazleton's 8-0 run helped to put the hosts in front 20-18 after 10 minutes.

Kaitlyn Johnson (Clifton Heights, Pa./Upper Darby) knocked down three-pointer to put the Lions back in front at the 9:29 mark of the second stanza; however, the Lions were held without a made field goal for the next 7:20 as Hazleton surged in front with nine-straight points.

Kiara Koger (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti) ended the drought with a layup and Brandywine battled back during the final two minutes, closing within two at the break. Amanda Floyd (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) followed Koger's basket with a triple and Sierra Diawara (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) sank two free throws with four seconds on the clock to make the count 32-30.

A pair of Hazleton three-pointers during the opening two minutes of the second half gave the hosts an eight-point edge. Brandywine again fought back, knotting the score at 40-all when Johnson buried a triple at the 5:08 mark. Free throw shooting helped the hosts retake the lead as Hazleton made eight trips to the line during the quarter's final three minutes and led 51-46.

Back-to-back baskets from Trinell Watson (Pottstown, Pa./Pottstown) and Diawara, plus a three-point play by Johnson trimmed the deficit to 55-53 with 7:09 to play; however, Brandywine would not get closer as Hazleton buried two triples during an 8-0 spurt that gave the hosts a double-figure lead with less than five minutes to play.

Koger produced 14 points and eight rebounds, while Johnson and Floyd both netted 13 points. Floyd also pulled in seven boards. Anaiyah Allen (Lutz, Fla./Steinbrenner) contributed six points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Hazleton shot 41 percent from the field and knocked down 9-of-18 three-pointers, while limiting Brandywine to 30 percent shooting and 5-for-23 marksmanship from three-point range.

Brandywine (10-10, 9-5 PSUAC) looks to bounce back Saturday against Penn State York at 1:00 PM.