Brandywine Rallies To Win Final Non-Conference Game

LANGHORNE, Pa. – Penn State Brandywine overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat Cairn University 72-65 during the Lions' final non-conference matchup of the season on Friday night.

Cairn made a trio of three-pointers and 10 of its 17 field goal attempts overall during the first quarter to build a 24-15 lead. The Highlanders netted the final four points of the second period to extend their lead to 41-27 at the half.

Cairn's advantage reached 17 points early in the third quarter before the Lions began their rally. Anaiyah Allen (Lutz, Fla./Steinbrenner) and Amanda Floyd (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) combined to knock down a trio of three-pointers during a span of 1:43 to draw the Lions within 10.

Cheyenne Rivas (Thorndale, Pa./Collegium Charter) buried a triple with 2:25 to go in the third, narrowing the gap to nine points. She added two more three-pointers during the final 56 seconds of the quarter as Brandywine closed the period on an 11-1 run to get within two.

Brandywine continued to use the three ball to overtake the Highlanders. Floyd canned a triple on the Lions' first possession of the fourth quarter to put Brandywine on top for the first time since early in the opening quarter.

Cairn briefly retook the lead, but Sierra Diawara (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) sank a triple to vault Brandywine back in front and start a run of nine-straight points for the Lions. Hope Coacher (Ardmore, Pa./Haverford) scored the next six points for Brandywine, which extended its margin to 63-57 with 4:12 to play.

The Highlanders got as close as three points down, but a Floyd three-pointer and free throws from Allen and Diawara during the final minute put the game away for the Lions.

Brandywine buried nine of its 11 three-pointers during the second half, while limiting Cairn to 21 percent shooting during the final 20 minutes.

Allen and Floyd both produced double-doubles for Brandywine as Allen tallied 15 points and 10 boards, while Floyd collected 16 points and 10 rebounds. Rivas added 15 points and Coacher chipped in with 10 points.

Brandywine (8-15, 4-9 PSUAC) will close out its four-game road swing Saturday at Penn State Scranton at 1:00 pm.