PIKE CREEK, Del. - The Goldey-Beacom College women's basketball team used 11 different scoring options to secure an 83-67 victory against non-conference foe Lock Haven University on Sunday afternoon at the Joseph West Jones Center. With everyone suited up contributing statistically to the win, the Lightning were able to close out 2011 with an overall record of 7-4, one of the best records in program history before the holiday break.
The 83-67 win was ignited by a trio of scorers including juniors
Irene Hudson and
Devonne Richardson with 18 apiece and
Ashley Rosario contributing 12. Richardson started out the scoring early by nailing her first of two three-point field goals to get GBC on the board. With action going back and forth and the game tied at 12 with 11:45 to go, the Lightning bench play sparked a 24-10 run that proved pivotal to the team's success in the first half. Defensive energy started the big run with a
Chelsea Grover steal and
Monica Burch layup in transition. Seconds later, Grover nailed a contested jump shot to keep momentum in the Lightning's corner. Sophomores
Briana Richmond-Peters and Melanie Jonson were added sparks as Peters grabbed four big rebounds and Johnson was a perfect 2-for-2 from the field during that span.
With Goldey-Beacom in control 36-22 with 2:28 left to play in the half, Lock Haven held GBC scoreless in the final minutes of the half as the Eagles finished the half on an 8-0 run highlighted by two three-pointers and a mid-range jump shot bringing their deficit down to six as both teams headed to the locker room with the Lightning only ahead, 36-30.
With the second half underway and the GBC lead at eight with 13:24 to go, Lock Haven used a pair of back-to-back "and-one's” to cut the lead to two, 53-51. But over the next four minutes, GBC bolted on a 12-1 run that proved too much for Lock Haven to bounce back from. With the score 65-52 with 8:32 left to play, the Lightning never let go of their double-digit lead, closing out the game with a final of 83-67.
The Lightning's 83 points was a season-high, as they had entered the game averaging 66 points per contest. Richardson recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds, and
Irene Hudson had an explosive second half, scoring 13 of her 18 in the final 20 minutes.
With the balanced scoring and uplifting defensive energy, Goldey-Beacom can go into break with some very positive momentum. The Lightning are back in action on January 3 as they go on the road to take on cross-town rival Wilmington University in a conference showdown at 6 p.m.
