Beaver Defeats Wilkes-Barre In First Round of Playoffs

Brittany with the free throw.
Brittany with the free throw.
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February 14, 2018

Monaca, PA -- Beaver Defeats Wilkes-Barre In First Round of Playoffs

By: Chris Rotondo

The women's basketball team began their PSUAC playoff run Wednesday night, taking on Penn State Wilkes-Barre for the second time in four days. Beaver ultimately defeated Wilkes-Barre 77-60.

The game started with Beaver gaining a very early lead thanks to a 3-point jump shot by junior Ally Rudolph. Beaver gained a 4 point lead, but Wilkes-Barre tied the game early on at 9. A foul by Wilkes-Barre put senior Brittany Jackson at the line, pushing the game out of a tie. Wilkes-Barre came close to tieing it up again, but a 3-pointer from senior Roxy Kie pushed Beaver further ahead. Beaver led 17-12 at the end of the first.

The second period started with a 3-pointer from Wilkes-Barre, but Beaver pushed back as Jackson made a jump shot. After Wilkes-Barre missed a few attempted shots, Kie returned with another 3-pointer. From there, both teams were quick on the court as they attempted to steal the ball from one another. After a lapse in the action, freshman Julia Sabbio made a 3-pointer. Shortly after, sophomore Tara McFadden made a jump shot that pushed Beaver ahead by 10 points.

As the third quarter started, Beaver was in the lead 35-26. Beaver went into the second half knowing that they had to push even harder if they wanted to build their lead. Jackson pushed the team ahead with layups and a jump shot, while freshman Diamond Thomas kept the ball in the team's hands. Both teams had moments where they had gained possession of the ball but struggled to make anything happen, as the other team made rebounds. By the end of the third, Beaver was ahead by 14, with ten more minutes to go.

By the fourth quarter, Wilkes-Barre slowed down on the court, as their playoff hopes were pushed away by Beaver. Jackson made a 3-pointer that pushed Beaver ahead by 17. The team continued to use simplicity to their advantage, opting for layups, rather than 3-pointers. This strategy pushed the team ahead, despite Wilkes-Barre's failed attempts at narrowing the lead.

Beaver went on to defeat Wilkes-Barre 77-60, advancing to the PSUAC Final Four. They will go on the road Saturday night to take on Penn State Lehigh Valley.