Box Score
READING, Pa. --- In its closest game of the season, the Lycoming College women’s basketball team escaped with a win over Albright College 61-60, giving the Lady Warriors their first road win on Saturday, Jan. 9. Senior guard Alicia Engler hit a three-pointer in the final minute to give Lycoming the win.
With 11:33 remaining in the game, Kaitlyn Ober (Lititz, Pa./Warwick) hit a jumper to tie the game for a sixth time before stealing the ball on Albright’s next possession and canning another jumper to put the Warriors (3-10, 1-2 Commonwealth) up by two.
Senior forward Rebecca Leid (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) gave Lycoming a four-point, 54-50 advantage, knocking down a mid-range jump shot. After a Lion free throw, Leid further increased the Warrior gap to five. But Albright (4-8, 0-3 Commonwealth) still had some scoring left.
At the 4:22 mark in the second half, the Lions pulled within three points of the lead, 58-55. Renee Freeden (Summit, N.J./Summit) came up with a big layup to regain the five point spread. On Albright’s next possession, it cut the lead back to three, and eventually got within one with just 2:43 left in the game.
The Warriors got into foul trouble late in the game, sending the Lions to the free throw line on two straight possessions, giving Albright the lead 60-58. Head coach Christen Ditzler called a timeout with 21 seconds left on the clock to draw up one final play.
With 16 seconds remaining, Engler knocked down a three-pointer to put the Warriors up by one. The Lion’s fate was sealed with a turnover in the final five seconds of the game.
Ober led the game in scoring, posting 19 points while also pulling down seven rebounds. Despite only six points in the game, Engler (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock Twp.) knocked down two three-pointers, including the game-winner. Allison Mock (State College, Pa./State College) scored a team second-high nine points while Leid tallied eight, and was second in rebounding with six. Senior guard Jessica Zerbee (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg) handed out seven assists and grabbed four steals.
As a team, Lycoming had a fine day shooting, hitting 26 of its 55 attempts, including six-of-14 from beyond the arc. Albright had a hard time shooting over the Warrior defenders, hitting only 27.3 (6-22) percent of its three-point shots. Lycoming’s defenders amassed 12 steals, while also forcing 24 turnovers.
Lycoming returns to Lamade Gymnasium on Wednesday, Jan. 13 when it hosts Commonwealth Conference foe Messiah College. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
