Brandywine Comes Up Short At Bryn Mawr

BRYN MAWR, Pa. – Penn State Brandywine carried a four-point lead into halftime, but host Bryn Mawr rallied to knock off the Lions 58-50 in women's basketball action on Thursday night.

The Lions trailed 12-9 through one quarter and faced a seven-point deficit at the midway point of the second period, but quickly rallied to take the lead thanks to a 12-0 surge. Destiny Johnson (Cambridge, N.J./Cambridge-South Dorchester) sank back-to-back baskets and Caroline Messick (Bala Cynwyd, Pa./Merion Mercy) added a three-pointer during the span of just 40 seconds to tie the score. Brandywine's run continued as Abigail Adorno (Mount Vernon, N.Y./Lehman) and Trinell Watson (Pottstown, Pa./Pottstown) recorded consecutive buckets before Analise Sierra (Swoyersville, Pa./Wyoming Valley West) knocked down a free throw to put the Lions in front 27-22.

Brandywine held a 28-24 edge through 20 minutes; however, the Lions were outscored 16-3 during the first seven minutes of the second half as the hosts jumped back in front.

Following Messick's layup at the 2:40 mark, Brandywine used the free throw line to close the third period with an 11-2 spurt. Seven-straight Lions' points came at the charity stripe, including five from Raelyn Loper (West Chester, Pa./Rustin), before Cassidy Tolbert (Austell, Ga./Pebblebrook) beat the third quarter buzzer with a layup to give Brandywine a 43-42 edge with 10 minutes to play.

The hosts used a three-point play at the 9:25 mark to regain the lead and begin a run of eight-straight points to take a 50-44 advantage. Bryn Mawr stretched the margin to seven points with less than two minutes to play, but four-straight points from Watson cut the Lions' deficit to just 53-50 with 50 ticks on the clock. The Lions were unable to get closer as Michelle Jiang's layup made it a five-point game and the Owls knocked down three-of-four free throws during the final 15 seconds to clinch the victory.

Watson led the Lions with 13 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Adorno added six points, three boards and two steals, while Tejanae Ballin (Cambridge, Md./Cambridge-South Dorchester) notched six points and five rebounds.

Brandywine limited Bryn Mawr to 27 percent shooting and forced 17 turnovers, but was hampered by 17-for-34 shooting at the free throw line.

The Lions (0-3) are back at home to face Penn State York Saturday at noon.