Brandywine Edges Central Penn 77-72 In Season Opener

MEDIA, Pa. -- Playing its first game in 545 days, the Penn State Brandywine women's basketball team opened its season by topping Central Penn College 77-72 on Saturday afternoon.

The teams swapped the lead back-and-forth throughout the first quarter before Brandywine ended the period with seven-straight points. Amanda Floyd (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) knocked down a three-pointer, while Anaiyah Allen (Lutz, Fla./Steinbrenner) and Ally Velez (Gloucester, N.J./Gloucester) added baskets during the final 24 seconds to put Brandywine on top 20-14 after 10 minutes.

Floyd's layup with 8:25 to go in the second handed Brandywine an eight-point edge, but Central Penn responded with a 12-1 run over the next four minutes to vault in front.

With less than one minute to go before the half, Erin Michael (Brookhaven, Pa./Sun Valley) converted a three-point play to tie the count at 36-36, while Floyd's triple during the final possession of the half put Brandywine on top 39-38 at intermission.

Neither team led by more than four points during the third quarter, which ended with the squads tied at 54-all.

By the midway point of the final period, Brandywine pushed in front 66-60 behind consecutive layups from Floyd and Michael. The Knights trimmed the Lions' lead to one point with 60 seconds to play, but Allen made a layup, while being fouled, and connected on the ensuing free throw to make the score 73-69.

Velez made all four of her free throws during the final 14 seconds to secure the victory for Brandywine, its first in a season opener since 2015.

Brandywine, which shot 35 percent from the field and forced 17 turnovers, received 25 points and eight rebounds from Floyd and a 21-point effort from Allen in her collegiate debut.

Michael chipped in eight points and a team-best 10 boards, while Velez tallied eight points, eight rebounds and a team-high five assists.

Brandywine (1-0) continues its season-opening homestand on Friday when it hosts Berkeley College (N.J.) at 8:00 pm.