Allen’s Big Night Helps Brandywine Top DuBois

MEDIA, Pa. -- Anaiyah Allen (Lutz, Fla./Steinbrenner) recorded 18 points, five assists and a career-best 17 rebounds as the Penn State Brandywine women's basketball team topped Penn State DuBois 81-68 on Friday night.

Brandywine got out to a fast start as three-pointers from Allen, Ally Velez (Gloucester, N.J./Gloucester City), and Sierra Diawara (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) put the Lions on top 19-11 through eight minutes.

Brandywine maintained its eight-point edge through the end of the first quarter and doubled its margin by the late stages of the second period. Amanda Floyd (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) grew the lead to 10 points with a layup at the 6:06 mark and the Lions steadily increased the margin over the next four minutes. Amelia Brooks (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) made the lead 16 points by sinking a layup with 2:26 to go.

However, DuBois outscored Brandywine 13-1 over the final two minutes of the half and entered the break down just seven.

The Lions' 16-point lead was completed erased by the 2:36 mark of the third quarter following three free throws from Emileigh Syster that knotted the count at 55-all.

Allen helped Brandywine regained the momentum entering the final period as she sank a layup that jumpstarted a 12-1 surge that pushed the Lions back on top by double figures. Brooks aided the run with five points, including a three-point play, while Floyd's free throw gave Brandywine a 65-56 lead through 30 minutes.

DuBois trimmed its deficit as low as five points during the final quarter, but a steal and layup by Kaitlyn Johnson (Clifton Heights, Pa./Upper Darby) and another basket from Allen increased the margin back to nine and helped Brandywine secure its third PSUAC victory of the year.

Floyd tallied 16 points and six rebounds, while Velez totaled 12 points and four boards. Brooks registered nine points and six rebounds, while Johnson chipped in eight points and five steals.

Brandywine shot 40 percent from the field, while limiting DuBois to 33 percent shooting. The Lions scored 22 points off turnovers after forcing 27 DuBois miscues.

Brandywine (6-5, 3-3 PSUAC) plays its final home game of the calendar year Saturday against Penn State Greater Allegheny at noon.