ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Cedar Crest College basketball team cruised past Penn State Hazleton, 59-33, at Lees Gymnasium in its home opener on Tuesday night, capitalizing on 16 steals and 21 second-chance points.
The Falcons began the game with a strong defensive presence, collecting three steals and capitalizing on Penn State Hazleton's turnovers. Junior
Analyse Rios (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek) scored early in the paint, tying the game at 2-2. Cedar Crest then built momentum with a 6-0 run, highlighted by sophomore
Ginger Kerdock's (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck) three-pointer at 4:26. Sophomore
Ella Bincarosky (Coopersburg, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic) added to the lead with a fastbreak layup, extending the Falcons' advantage to 10-2. Despite a late response from Hazleton, Cedar Crest maintained control and closed the first quarter ahead, 12-6.
The home team opened the second quarter with a strong defensive effort, forcing eight turnovers and securing five steals. This defensive pressure allowed them to capitalize on fast breaks and points off turnovers, contributing to their scoring lead. The Falcons' offense was efficient, with juniors
Jillian York (Fairmont, Minn./Largo (Fla.)) and
Samora Merchant (Danbury, Conn./Henry Abbott Technical) each making key baskets to extend the lead. Cedar Crest maintained control with a balanced attack, highlighted by effective shooting beyond the arc and strong rebounding. The Falcons concluded the quarter by extending their advantage, closing with a three-pointer from Bincarosky. The stanza ended with Cedar Crest leading 34–17.
The Falcons' third quarter was marked by effective scoring and defensive plays. Kerdock initiated a momentum swing with a steal and subsequently sunk a three-pointer at 9:34, assisted by Rios. The team capitalized on second-chance opportunities, with junior
Weronika Swojak (Warsaw, Poland/The Orme School) converting offensive rebounds into key points, extending the lead to 43–25. Merchant and Bincarosky further solidified the advantage by controlling the boards and adding to the scoring tally. First-year
Gabrielle Moore's (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) three-pointer at 3:10 pushed the lead to 50–27. Cedar Crest held Hazleton at bay, closing the quarter with a 16–14 score, maintaining a strong lead into the final quarter.
The Falcons capitalized on turnovers to extend their lead in the fourth quarter. York began the scoring with a three-pointer assisted by Rios at 9:49. Cedar Crest maintained defensive pressure, accumulating seven steals, which helped them convert turnovers into points. First-year
Brooke Leonardi's (Stewartsville, N.J./Phillipsburg) aggressive play led to multiple steals, while Bincarosky added another three-pointer at 7:07, pushing their advantage further. The home team limited Hazelton to one field goal in the fourth frame as the Falcons closed the game with a 59-33 victory.
Kerdock posted 11 points and recorded six steals, contributing significantly on both ends of the court. Swojak collected 11 rebounds, showcasing her impact on the boards along with eight points. Leonardi added to the defensive effort with four steals while also contributing five points and five rebounds. York made all three of her three-point attempts, finishing with nine points.
Junior Topaz Williams-Fripp led Hazleton with 14 points, shooting 6-for-19 from the field, and contributed defensively with two blocks. Aislinn Chaffin added nine points, converting 3-of-8 field goal attempts and hitting 2-of-2 free throws. Brianna Kennedy was active on defense, recording six rebounds and two steals. Azaria Johnson also made an impact defensively with three steals and contributed five rebounds and three assists.
Cedar Crest (3-0 overall) will look to carry its momentum into its next game against Clarkson University on Friday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Keystone College Tip-Off Tournament. Penn State Hazleton (1-1 overall) stays on the road to face Cairn University on Friday at 7:00 p.m.
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