Cedar Crest College Athletics

GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. — The Cedar Crest College basketball team was edged by Gwynedd Mercy University, 77-74, after an 8-0 fourth-quarter run cut a nine-point deficit to one in the final seconds. The Falcons scored 30 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 16 steals and 23 points off turnovers.

Cedar Crest opened with sophomore Hailey Wolbeck's (Hemet, Calif./Western Center Academy) steal leading to junior Ella Bincarosky's (Coopersburg, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic) three-pointer, and junior Ginger Kerdock's (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck) free throw made it 4-0 at 8:39. The Griffins answered with the next six points, and the Falcons finished the quarter 3-for-18 from the floor despite collecting four steals. Wolbeck scored off senior Analyse Rios' (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek) assist in the final seconds before Gwynedd Mercy University closed the first quarter with a layup to leave Cedar Crest trailing 22-9.

The Falcons gained ground in the second quarter, outscoring the Griffins 19-13 while holding the home team to three made field goals. Bincarosky provided the late push with two three-pointers in the final 1:58, and Cedar Crest entered halftime trailing 35-28.

The Falcons struggled to turn extra chances into points in the third quarter, shooting 4-for-17 despite five offensive rebounds and four steals. Bincarosky made a layup and five free throws, while Kerdock added two layups, including a steal and fast-break finish with 1:50 left. Gwynedd Mercy made three triples in the stanza and carried a 59-44 lead into the fourth.

Cedar Crest trailed 73-57 with 2:28 left in the fourth quarter but hit five three-pointers over the next 2:17, pulling within 75-74 on Bincarosky's three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining. Bincarosky scored the Falcons' final eight points, and senior Madison Olguin (San Antonio, Texas/Antonian Prep) also connected from distance during the late push. The Griffins closed it at the foul line, with first-year Lianna Martir (Reading, Pa.) making two free throws with one second left to make the score 77-74, the eventual final.

For Cedar Crest, Bincarosky tied a career-high with 36 points, made eight three-pointers, and collected nine rebounds. Kerdock finished with 14 points, six assists, seven rebounds, and four steals. Wolbeck grabbed eight rebounds and added three steals and a block. Rios scored eight points and pulled down five rebounds.
 
For Gwynedd Mercy, sophomore Layla Verbit (Sellersville, Pa.) scored 34 points, collected 11 rebounds with eight on the offensive glass, and went 11-of-12 at the free-throw line. Senior Azzy Crumpton (Conshohocken, Pa.) finished with eight points, 10 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. Junior Brianna McFadden (Fairless Hills, Pa.) recorded six assists and added six points on two three-pointers. Junior Peyton Attivo (Middletown, Pa.) added nine points, five assists, three rebounds, and a block.
 
Cedar Crest (0-1 overall) will play Elizabethtown College in the consolation game of the Gwynedd Mercy University Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, November 7 at 1:00 p.m.