BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Holding William Paterson University to 28 percent from the floor and scoring 38 points in the paint, the Lycoming College women's basketball team built a 30-point lead in the first half and cruised to a 68-49 win in the opening round of the Steel Club Classic at Johnston Hall on Saturday, Jan. 4.
 
The Warriors advance to the championship game of the Steel Club Classic on Sunday, Jan. 5, facing the winner of the other first round game between Moravian and Neumann at 1 p.m. in Johnston Hall.
 
In her first career start, junior Sydney Purcell (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle) handed out a career-best 10 assists, tied for ninth-most in program history and the first 10 assist game since Nicole Calella had 10 against Arcadia on Jan. 15, 2017. Purcell also added four points, but it was her passing, which led to 17 dimes for the Warriors in the game, that helped open the game up against the Pioneers, who had just five assists on 19 field goals.
 
Senior Kayla Kline (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg) led the Warriors with 13 points and 15 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season, leaving her 13 points shy of 1,000 in her career. Junior Erica Lutz (Bernville, Pa./Hamburg) was the lone other Warrior in double figures, posting 11 points and eight rebounds, as nine players entered the scoring column on a 40 percent (27-of-67) shooting afternoon.
 
Lycoming jumped out on a 13-2 run through the first six minutes of the game, with Kline posting six points on the run. The Warriors continued to roll, leading 20-6 at the end of the period. In the second quarter, the Warriors continued to dominate, growing the lead to as many 30 points at 44-14 with 1:00 to go before the Pioneers hit the last bucket of the half.
 
Lycoming shot 51 percent (18-of-35) in the half, scored 15 points off 10 Pioneer turnovers, outrebounded their opponents, 29-16, recorded 12 assists while the Pioneers had none, recorded a 24-10 advantage in the paint and 12-0 in transition.
 
In the second half, the Warriors were outscored by nine points, but kept a lead of at least 20 points until the final minute.
 
Sophomore Allison Wagner (York, Pa./Central York) had a career-high nine points and four rebounds, both seniors Morgan Mader (Cresco, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) and Akilah McFadden (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area) each had eight points. Freshman Kenzie Reed (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) added seven points and three rebounds.
 
Brianna Brooks and Vianca Soriano led the Pioneers with eight points apiece. Justina Cabezas finished with seven points and 10 rebounds and Allison McBride added nine rebounds. Kye Adams posted three steals.