MEDIA, PA (Nov. 23, 2019) - PSU Brandywine went to the free throw with 1:48 to play and took the lead for good as the Lions ended Penn State Lehigh Valley's 21-game women's basketball winning streak against conference opponents during a back-and-forth, defensive struggle Saturday afternoon in Media.
Brandywine dealt Lehigh Valley its first loss to a PSUAC foe since Brandywine was on the winning end of a 70-63 decision in the 2017-18 PSUAC Championship game. Each of Lehigh Valley's five most recent setbacks in conference play have now come against Brandywine.
The game was a defensive deadlock from the outset as both teams managed just four points during the opening quarter.
A Brandywine three-point play early in the second period gave Brandywine its first lead of the game and the largest lead by either squad during the first half at 7-4. The teams swapped baskets in the second quarter, Brandywine went into the half with a 21-18 edge.
The third quarter was the same story as neither team could build a lead larger than three for the first nine minutes; however, Yasmine Herrera buried a three-pointer, the first of the game for either team, to give Lehigh Valley a 40-34 edge with 17 seconds remaining in the period.
Lehigh Valley upped the margin to nine points two minutes into the final quarter, but Brandywine came storming back, using a 14-4 run to vault back in front. Brandywine connected on only two triples of the afternoon during the surge, while Brandywine registered a pair of put-back layups, including the go-ahead basket with 3:27 on the clock.
After three free throws put Lehigh Valley back on top, Brandywine sank two from the charity stripe for Brandywine, evening the count at 53-53 and 48 seconds later, Brandywine free throw gave the Lions a one-point edge.
Brandywine trekked to the free throw line eight times during the final 52 seconds, making 7-of-8 shots, and Brandywine's defense held strong, limiting the visitors to 1-for-7 shooting during the final minute to secure the victory.
Brandywine claimed victory despite shooting just 25 percent from the field as the Lions sank 19-of-23 free throws and held a 65-51 edge on the glass. The Lions produced 17 second-chance points and netted 18 points off 23 Lehigh Valley turnovers.
Taylor Styles led the way for Lehigh with 15 points. Ebony Sanders added a double double with 11 points and 21 rebounds. Jah'nel Oliver recorded a double double of her own with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Lehigh Valley will travel to NCAA Division II opponent, Kutztown University, after Thanksgiving on Saturday, Nov. 30th for a 5:30 PM tip-off.
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