Warriors Tame Wolves, 69-60

The team celebrates its victory over Cheyney. Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki
The team celebrates its victory over Cheyney. Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki
The team celebrates its victory over Cheyney.
Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki

By Ronald Hanaki
Sports Editor

On a very snowy Valentine’s Day, some 220 hardy Warrior fans braved the winter cold and packed into the sanctuary known as Koehler Fieldhouse to watch ESU’s women’s basketball team tame the Cheyney Wolves, 69-60.

There was nothing but love for ESU. The Warriors (10-13, 9-10) were paced by senior forward Jessica “The Franchise” Martin’s 17 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore forward Allison Howard scored 14 points, and junior guard Helena “Big Game” Gemmell had 11 points.

The Warriors showed who was the leader of the pack very early when they skated out to a 14-2 lead.

By halftime, ESU led Cheyney, 37-28.

ESU scored the first 8 points in the second half to lead Cheyney, 45-28. That would be the biggest lead of the game for the Warriors.

Stellar play by ESU would keep Cheyney’s pink bowtied head coach Kyle Adams pacing around the bench with his arms folded.

Cheyney senior guard Kia Whitley-Duncan and junior guard Taschell Phillips both came off the bench to lead the Wolves in scoring with 21 points and 12 points respectively. In total, Cheyney had 47 bench points to ESU’s 16 bench points. That would be the only significant statistical advantage that the Wolves had over the Warriors in this game.

ESU had 30 points off turnovers to Cheyney’s 15 points. The Warriors had 14 secondchance points to Cheyney’s 7 points. ESU also had 32 points in the paint; Cheyney had 24 points in the paint.

The Wolves found themselves in early foul trouble. The Warriors took advantage by shooting 16-24 from the free throw line. Comparatively, the Wolves shot 9-16 from the foul line.

The Warriors are now 5-4 under Lynn Ramage since he was named the interim head coach on January 12.

With the win, ESU has improved its conference record to 9-10. The Warriors are now in sole possession of 4th place in the PSAC East. The top four teams from the division will advance to the postseason tournament beginning on February 28.

On Wednesday night, February 18, Jessica Martin’s double-double was not enough as ESU lost to West Chester, 67-51. ESU is now tied with LHU for 4th place in the PSAC East.

This Saturday afternoon, ESU will play Mansfield on the road. Mansfield is currently in last place in the PSAC East.

ESU’s home and season finale is against Kutztown on Wednesday night, February 25. Kutztown was in fifth place in the PSAC East and trailed ESU by half-a-game.

Email Ronald at:
rhanaki@live.esu.edu