Brandywine Edged At Wilkes-Barre 66-63

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. -- The Penn State Brandywine women's basketball team could not overcome cold spells offensively as the Lions were edged at Penn State Wilkes-Barre 66-63 on Tuesday night.

Brandywine used two three-pointers from Nikki Velez (Gloucester, N.J./Gloucester City) and one from Madison D'Ambrosio (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) to build a 13-11 lead after one quarter. Amanda Floyd (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) took over early in the second period, knocking down three-straight shots before assisting on D'Ambrosio's three-point play as the Lions' lead grew to 23-15.

Floyd's triple upped the lead to nine points with 3:44 to go in the half, but the Lions would be held without a point for the duration of the stanza. Wilkes-Barre netted the final nine points to tie the game at 32-32 before jumping into the lead early in the third quarter.

Floyd netted Brandywine's first nine points of the third period to help the Lions hang tight, but Wilkes-Barre scored eight consecutive points to open up a 52-44 margin. Velez and D'Ambrosio both knocked down a free throw before D'Ambrosio added a triple to get Brandywine within two points entering the final quarter.

Wilkes-Barre continued to lead, going in front by as many as seven, before Brandywine battled back, tying the score at 62-62 on Velez's fifth three-pointer of the game with 1:20 to play. Dairayonna Stewart-Harold (New Castle, Del./William Penn) sank the first of two free throws, giving Brandywine a one-point edge with 45 seconds on the clock, but Qiana Vigo was fouled on the other end and sank two free throws to give the hosts the lead once again. The Lions came up empty during their final three possessions, while Danielle Bowman connected for two free throws during the final 30 seconds to provide the final margin.

D'Ambrosio, Floyd and Velez combined for 54 of Brandywine's 63 points. D'Ambrosio produced a 18-point, 11-rebound double-double, while Floyd topped the Lions in scoring with 19 points and Velez added 17 points. Amelia Brooks (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) pulled in eight rebounds and both Floyd and Velez collected three steals.

Brandywine, which managed just 3-of-18 shooting during the final quarter, shot 35 percent during the game and was marred by 27 turnovers.

Brandywine (11-7, 8-4 PSUAC) returns home Saturday to host Penn State Hazleton at 1:00 pm.