Women's Basketball fended off a second-half surge by the William Penn University Statesmen at home Saturday.
The Ravens watched a 14-point lead disappear but answered to beat WPU 61-51.
A WPU 14-0 run in the third quarter erased a Ravens 14-point lead, and then a basket by the visitors early in the fourth quarter gave Penn a 1-point lead. Later in the fourth, Kyra Misuraca converted a 2-point basket to give the Ravens the lead and they played well down the stretch – including 6 free throws by Kennedy Nicholson and Alleigh Kramer – to close out the win.
The Ravens got off to a fast start in the opening quarter, scoring 26 points. It was their most against an NAIA opponent this season.
The deep ball was working for the Ravens as Nicholson hit a pair of 3-pointers, and Riley Wade and Aaliyah Raines each hit a trey.
The Statesmen also hit four 3-pointers in the opening 10 minutes, helping them overcome 7 turnovers to stay within 5 points of the Ravens, 26-21.
The offensive pace of both teams slowed down in the second quarter as the Ravens outscored Penn 9-7, taking a 35-28 lead into halftime.
Nicholson knocked down another 3-pointer in the second quarter to lead the Ravens with 9 points in the first half. Also helping the Ravens was their defensive pressure on WPU as they created 10 turnovers and scored 15 points off those turnovers.
The Ravens started the second half well, bursting out to a 14-point lead. However, the Statesmen had an answer in the form of a 14-0 run to tie the game at 42-42 late in the third quarter. A free throw by Kyra Misuraca ended the WPU scoring streak and sent the Ravens into the fourth quarter up 43-42.
After a brief Penn lead early in the fourth quarter, the Ravens answered to close out the home win.
Raines had a team-high 15 points with Nicholson and Misuraca each adding 11 points. Twilah Carrasquillo had 8 boards as the Ravens outrebounded the Statesmen 36-22.
Next up for the Ravens (9-17, 6-14 Heart) is their final home game of the season, a 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 contest against Missouri Valley.
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