Brandywine Escapes Bryn Athyn With 50-44 Triumph

BRYN ATHYN, Pa. – After defeating Bryn Athyn by 23 points in November, Penn State Brandywine needed a three-pointer from senior Alyssa Abbonizio (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) to put away the hosts and complete a season sweep by a 50-44 score on Friday night.

After a low-scoring first half that saw Bryn Athyn claim a 17-16 lead, Abbonizio started the second half with a triple and Brandi James (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) followed with a pair of free throws to push Brandywine in front 21-17.

Bryn Athyn rallied to knot the score at 27-27, but Brandywine closed the third stanza with a 10-3 run to build a seven-point advantage. Crystal Miller (Pleasant Valley, N.Y./Arlington) started the surge with a layup, while Madison D'Ambrosio (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) followed with a pair of jumpers and a free throw and Chrissy Gledhill (Secane, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) knocked down a triple.

The Lions' lead was nine points after D'Ambrosio buried a basket at the 9:41 mark of the final quarter, but Bryn Athyn connected on consecutive three-pointers to climb back within three.

The hosts pulled within one with 4:28 remaining and then grabbed a one-point lead two minutes later when Shaneika Smith sank a jumper. A free throw from James knotted the score at 44-44 with 1:51 on the clock and after a pair of stops on the defensive end, Gledhill connected on the second of two free throws, vaulting Brandywine back into the lead.

Brandywine stood tall again defensively during Bryn Athyn's ensuing possession, regaining possession with 38 second left. Nearing the end of the shot clock, Abbonizio drilled a triple to push the lead to four points, effectively putting the game away for the Lions. James made two free throws with two seconds left to provide the final margin.

Abbonizio hit three triples for nine points overall, while Gledhill and Nikki Velez (Gloucester, N.J./Gloucester City) tied for the team lead with 10 points. James just missed a double-double by collecting nine points and 10 boards, while Velez dished out four assists and Abbonizio pulled in five rebounds.

Brandywine held Bryn Athyn to 26 percent shooting and forced 23 turnovers. Nearly half of Brandywine's 16 field goals (7) came from beyond the arc.

In the midst of a six-game road trip, Brandywine (7-5, 3-0 PSUAC) is in western Pennsylvania Friday evening for a 6:00 pm game at Penn State DuBois.