Beaver wins home opener against Westminster

By: Matylda Zamudio

Monaca, Pa.—The Penn State Beaver women's basketball hosted Westminster College on Monday in the team's home opener of the 2018-2019 season. The Lions defeated Community College of Beaver County in a blow-out 84-30 victory last Saturday. The Lady Lions made it to the PSUAC Final Four last season and aim to make it back to the post-season. 

In the first quarter, Westminster landed on the boards first with a quick jump shot in the first 15 seconds of the game. Beaver answered back less than a minute later with junior Cheyenne Lopez scoring the first 2-points to tie the game (2-2). The fast-paced game went back and forth until senior Brittany Jackson scored a layup to give Beaver a 3-point lead at the three-minute mark (10-7). The Beaver took control of the final minutes and went on a 10-point run to help end the first with up by 6 points (15-9). Momentum shifted to Westminster earlier in the second quarter, as Beaver allowed Westminster to cut the lead to 1 point less than a minute in. Both teams went scoreless for the next three minutes until freshman Emily Keener made a layup to put Beaver ahead by 3 points (17-14). Towards the end of the second, Beaver controlled the pace of the game and a late 3-pointer from freshman Alexis Cross increased Beaver's lead to 8 points and helped Beaver take a 6-point lead at halftime.

The second half stayed close, but Beaver kept at least a 3-point lead over Westminster made a layup until at the 4-minute mark of the game to make it a one-possession game (47-45). However, Jackson hit two shots at the free throw line followed by a free throw from Keener and a final two scored by freshman Jimya Chambers to help Beaver win the game 52-47.

Jackson had a great performance, contributing 14 points and 10 rebounds coming off the bench to lead Beaver in scoring. Sophomore Diamond Thomas led Beaver in assists, contributing 3 for the day.

Beaver is now 2-0 to start the season and will be back on Saturday, Nov. 17 to host Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in day one of the PSU Beaver Tournament. The game is slated for 6 p.m.