Despite posting a 21-point victory, the Westminster College women’s basketball team wasn’t pleasesd with its performance.
The second-seeded Lady Titans struggled offensively in the second half of their 67-46 win over seventh-seeded Grove City last night in the first round of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Tournament.
“They’re defensively strong, but at the same time, we weren’t running an offense,” Westminster junior Emilee Ackerman said. “Our offense was a mess today and we weren’t playing as a team.”
Tying a school record with 21 wins — the Lady Titans were 21-8 in 2005 — Westminster (21-5) cruised through the first half to build a 33-18 lead.
“We got ourselves in a hole,” said Grove City coach Sarah Harris, whose team entered the contest on a five-game losing streak. “It’s hard to claw back and be able to sustain a run.
“Westminster’s tough. Every time you think you have them, they’ll answer. They did a good job of executing, taking advantage of their home court, hitting shots and playing their game.”
However, Grove City came out strong in the second half. The Lady Wolverines, who concluded their season at 5-20, began with a 9-0 run and drew within five points after a Laura Miller 3-pointer to make it 38-33.
“Grove City came out here ready to play,” Westminster coach Rosanne Scott said. “When things weren’t open right away, we panicked a little and did things that aren’t our type of offense. The six minutes in the second half we still weren’t in sync.”
The Lady Titans went on a 13-2 run to regain control.
“We got the momentum by going up and down the floor getting shots and we got them a little tired defensively,” Scott said.
Senior guard Desiree Sterling led the way with 17 points and seven rebounds for Westminster. Ackerman followed with 14 markers.
““Defensively, we kind of sagged off,” Ackerman said. “The first half defense was amazing. We were in their face and they couldn’t do anything. Then we came out lackadaisical and just sat back and let them have their run.”
Rachel Eaton supplied 12 points for the Lady Titans, and senior guard Nicole Fee, a Neshannock High graduate, added four.
“We definitely had the momentum in the game; it was just shot selection and then we took ourselves out of it,” Sterling said. “We then started to establish what we needed.”
Rachel McCoy paced Grove City with nine points. Brittany Anderson and Pam Larson each followed with seven while Mohawk High graduate Katy McCready added five points.
Westminster advances to play third-seeded Washington & Jefferson at 6 p.m. Friday at Thomas More, Ky. The Lady Titans swept W&J; during the regular season.
Sports
COLLEGE HOOPS: Westminster women open PAC tourney with win
- Sports
-
-
Bounce Tuesday: The Basketblog plus photos, video and game stories
Enter our award-winning Bounce high school basketball Web site today and read the weekly Basketblog, check out our awesome team pages and view photos, videos and game stories.
-
High School Football: Four more locals sign with colleges
Four more Lawrence County football stars have signed to take their talents to the next level. All four will compete at the NCAA Division II level — New Castle’s Justin Fleo and Chris Avery (Gannon) and teammate Johnny Matarazzo (Mercyhurst), along with Laurel’s Kaleb Kingston (Slippery Rock).
-
Report: Haley is Steelers’ next offensive coordinator
The Steelers will hire former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley to be their offensive coordinator, according to an ESPN report. The move, first reported by 610 AM in Kansas City, has not yet been announced.
-
Bounce Monday: Readers take their best shots in Fan Cam
Enter our award-winning Bounce high school basketball Web site today and catch up on the weekend’s hottest action, then look for yourself as readers take their best shots in Fan Cam.
-
College Basketball: Woodall leads Pitt past Villanova
Pittsburgh senior Ashton Gibbs is a happy man now that his backcourt mate, junior Tray Woodall, is back and healthy in the starting lineup. He's almost as happy as Woodall, who recovered from a groin/abdominal strain to turn in one of his best performances of the season.
-
NHL Hockey: Fleury carries Pens to win over Bruins
Marc Andre-Fleury hardly looked like a goalie who had just finished a highly intense third period. Fleury, back in net after getting a night off, made 28 saves and Evgeni Malkin scored a power-play goal that lifted the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Boston Bruins 2-1 Saturday for their ninth win in 10 games.
-
Bounce Weekend: Photo galleries, video highlights and game stories
Enter our award-winning Bounce high school basketball site and check out our awesome team pages and view photos, roundups and game stories from all the exciting high school action.
-
Bounce Friday: Big Shots weekly feature and exciting game action!
Amazing. Incredible. Unreal. Each Friday, Dave Burcham chats with former players who have hit some of the most memorable baskets in Lawrence County history.
-
Bounce Thursday: Bazooka Joe and The Doc are talkin’ hoops!
Each Thursday on our award-winning Web site, join Bazooka Joe and The Doc as they talk high school hoops in Lawrence County. This week, they might be talking about you!
-
Westminster College Baseball: Nocera to step down after season
Westminster College head baseball coach Carmen Nocera will step down following the completion of the 2012 season. Nocera, a New Castle resident and administrator in the New Castle Area School District, spent 13 years on the Titans coaching staff.
- More Sports Headlines
-
