Bryn Athyn Edges Brandywine In Defensive Slugfest

MEDIA, Pa. -- The Penn State Brandywine women's basketball team dropped its first home United East Conference game of the season in a low-scoring, defensive battle, falling 54-42, on Saturday afternoon.

Brandywine was limited to six points during each of the first two quarters, but was still within striking distance of Bryn Athyn at the half after limiting the visitors to just 23 points through 20 minutes.

Bryn Athyn upped its lead to 13 points midway through the third period before Brandywine put together a run, cutting the margin to five. Jazmyn Kemp (Aberdeen, Md./Aberdeen) sank a layup and Sierra Diawara (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) followed with a three-pointer to begin an 11-3 Lions' run. Anaiyah Allen (Lutz, Fla./Steinbrenner) added a pair of free throws and Cassidy Tolbert (Austell, Ga./Pebblebrook) contributed a pair of baskets, including one that brought the score to 28-23.

Five points is as small as the deficit would get for the Lions as Bryn Athyn answered with a 17-1 surge, spanning the third and fourth quarters, to push its lead past 20 points. Brandywine made a late run, climbing with 11 with 3:38 to go when Trinell Watson (Pottstown, Pa./Pottstown) converted a three-point play, but the Lions would not get closer.

Watson paced the Brandywine offense with 15 points, while Kemp tallied nine points, six rebounds and four blocked shots. Diawara added six points and six rebounds and Tolbert notched six points along with a team-high seven boards.

Brandywine limited Bryn Athyn to 27 percent shooting, but the Lions were held to just 23 percent shooting from the floor. Bryn Athyn also held a commanding 62-41 edge on the boards.

Brandywine (1-7, 0-3 UEC) will play three-straight non-conference road games beginning Wednesday at Haverford (7:00 PM).