By Ronald Hanaki
Sports Editor
Last Tuesday, ESU’s women’s basketball team won their home opener by beating the Holy Family University Tigers 65-59 at Koehler Fieldhouse.
The Warriors were led by senior forward Allison Howard’s 17 points and seven rebounds.
Sophomore guard Noelle Powell had an efficient night with 15 points in only 18 minutes of playing time.
This was a close game in the first half. Holy Family led ESU 21-20 in the second quarter, but the Warriors went on a 11-6 scoring run in the last four minutes to end the first half with a 31-27 lead.
The Tigers opened the second half with an old-fashioned three-point play by Holy Family junior guard Taylor Walker to make the score 31-30 ESU.
Later in the third quarter, Holy Family senior forward Abigail Iannotti would hit a pair of free throws to make the score 41-40 ESU. But the Warriors went on a 5-1 run in the last three minutes to close the third quarter with a 46-41 lead.
In the fourth quarter, the Tigers would close to within three points with about three minutes left in the game. But the Warriors would surge to an eight-point lead on a clutch three-point basket by junior guard Imani Brown and two free throws by Howard with two minutes to go.
More free throws down the stretch by Howard and Brown would ice the game for ESU.
The Warriors were chosen to finish second in the preseason PSAC East coaches’ poll. Therefore, much is expected from the Warriors this season.
ESU returns to action against Clarion in front of the Koehler Krazies on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Email Ronald at:
rhanaki@live.esu.edu