WEST CHESTER, Pa. (November 12, 2016) – Despite a trio of Fighting Scots scoring in double-figures, including a career-high 11 points from Whitney Allen, the Edinboro University women's basketball team was unable to overcome second half struggles as they dropped their season opener, 63-59, to Wheeling Jesuit. Saturday's contest was the first day of the Carol Eckman Memorial Tournament, hosted by West Chester. The Fighting Scots fell to 0-1 on the season and will look to rebound in the final day of the two-day event when they take the hardwood tomorrow afternoon against Glenville State at 2 p.m.
 
Despite a double-digit halftime lead at 38-25, the second half struggles proved too much to overcome. After shooting 46.9 pct. (15-of-32) from the floor, including 33.3 pct. (3-for-9) from beyond-the-arc in the opening half, Edinboro made just 7-of-28 shots in the second half, including 2-of-13 3-pointers and 5-of-11 from the charity stripe. After winning the turnover margin 14-11 in the first half, the numbers were flipped as the Fighting Scots turned the ball over 14 times in the second half.
 

The Fighting Scots got buckets from four different players in the opening quarter as they jumped out to a slim 18-17 after one period of play. Edinboro came out scorching hot in the second quarter, opening play with a 14-4 run to take a 32-21 lead with 5:17 remaining in the first half. Allen scored the quarters first five points as she opened the quarter with a layup and followed up with her first career 3-pointer. Katie Fischer drained a three of her own to give Edinboro a 25-18 lead with just over a minute played in the second.
 
Allen led all Edinboro scorers with nine points at the half as newcomer Ciara Rosten added eight. The Cardinals were led at the half by Monica Burns and Chenelle Moore with nine and seven points, respectively.
 
The Cardinals opened the second half of play with a 14-7 run to cut the deficit to 6 points at 45-39 with just over two minutes remaining. Burns kick started the run with a 3-pointer and Mariah Callen dropped in the final four points of the stretch. A pair of JaVannah Jackson free throws and a Maggie Moore layup grew the Edinboro lead back up to 49-42 at the break.
 
It was all Wheeling Jesuit in the final stanza as they outscored the Fighting Scots, 21-10. The Cardinals scored 13 of the first 15 points of the quarter to take a 55-51 lead with 3:32 remaining to play. Wheeling Jesuit was led once again in that stretch by the trio of Burns, Moore and Callen. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Michaela Barnes and Jackson gave Edinboro the lead again at 57-55, but it was the last time they would hold the lead as the Cardinals ended the game on a 8-2 run over the final two minutes.
 
Allen finished with a career-high 11 points on 3-of-4 shooting. Rosten also finished with 11 points in her Fighting Scots debut. Jackson was the third scorer in double-figures, finishing with ten points. Maggie Moore was Edinboro's leading rebounder, grabbing eight boards to go along with her six points. Jontay Walton added seven rebounds. Fischer finished as Edinboro's assist leader, dishing out four assists, but also turned the ball over ten times.
 
Burns led all scorers with 21 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Moore added 14 and grabbed eight rebounds, while Motton finished with ten points and nine boards.
 
The Fighting Scots won the rebound battle by a slim 37-36 margin, but dominated the offensive board battle, tallying 18 to Wheeling Jesuit's 11. Both teams turned the ball over 25 times. The Fighting Scots got solid minutes off the bench, outscoring the Cardinals bench, 22-7.