Rally Runs Out Of Steam For Lions Against Lehigh Valley

MEDIA, Pa. -- Penn State Brandywine trimmed a 21-point deficit to one, but could not overcome first-place Penn State Lehigh Valley, falling 82-59, in Penn State University Athletic Conference women's basketball action Tuesday night.

Brandywine fell behind 31-12 following a turnover-marred first quarter in which the Lions turned the ball over 12 times.

Brandywine rallied in the second period, outscoring Lehigh Valley 25-15. Trailing 42-24 at the midway point of the stanza, the Lions put together an 13-4 run to end the half aided by five points from Sierra Diawara (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) and four from Cheyenne Rivas (Thorndale, Pa./Collegium Charter). Jenaya Smith (Cohoes, N.Y./Cohoes) knocked down a pair of free throws with less than one second on the clock to pull the Lions within 46-37 at the break.

The rally continued for the Lions early in the second half as Kaitlyn Johnson's (Clifton Heights, Pa./Upper Darby) triple cut the margin to six at the 7:12 mark. Sixty-six seconds later, Erin Michael (Brookhaven, Pa./Sun Valley) sliced the deficit in half by converting a three-point play. Following two Lehigh Valley free throws, Amanda Floyd's (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) layup and Diawara's pair of free throws brought the count to 54-53 with 2:16 left in the third.

However, Lehigh Valley outscored Brandywine 6-0 during the final 59 seconds to extend its lead back to seven points through 30 minutes. The final period belonged to Lehigh Valley as the visitors netted 22 of the quarter's 28 points.

Floyd produced 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Diawara tallied 14 points, nine boards and two assists. Michael chipped nine points and eight rebounds, while Johnson collected eight points and eight boards.

Lehigh Valley held a 56-45 edge on the boards and pulled down 23 offensive rebounds, leading to 28 second-chance points. The visitors also forced 27 turnovers.

Brandywine (7-13, 4-7 PSUAC) travels west for a pair of games this weekend beginning with Saturday's matchup at Penn State Fayette.