MILLERSVILLE, Pa. -- The Edinboro women's basketball team went on a 21-0 run in the opening half, and held UVa-Wise 14 baskets over the final three quarters, as the Fighting Scots defeated the Cavaliers, 68-56 on Sunday at the Conference Challenge at Millersville's Pucillo Gymnasium. The Fighting Scots improved to 2-0 on the season, while the Cavaliers, who went 21-11 a year ago, fell to 0-2.
In the first quarter, the Edinboro starting lineup struggled to find a groove, shooting 1-for-12 in the opening 6:18. But Fighting Scots would hold the Cavaliers scoreless over the next 9:39, as they went on a 21-0 run.
During the run, they shot 9-of-16 (.563 percent) from the floor and made 2-of-4 3-pointers attempted.
Cheniya Sharpe was a key contributor off the Boro bench, as she scored seven of her nine points in nine minutes of play. Jontay Walton added five of her ten first-half points during the run, as well.
The Cavaliers would tie the game at 28 apiece, and would limit the Boro offense to five points over the final 4:33, as they trailed 33-29 at halftime.
Edinboro shot 9-of-15 in the quarter, but Ciara Rosten,
Whitney Allen and
Michelle Jahn headlined five Fighting Scots who had to sit with two first-half fouls during the Cavalier's late rally
In the third quarter, Rosten scored a layup just 11 seconds in, giving Edinboro a 35-29 lead. But the lead was short-lived, as Hannah Oliver erupted for three consecutive baskets, scoring on a jumper and back-to-back 3-point shots. The 5'5" freshman guard, who scored 14 points in the half, gave the Cavaliers its first lead since 12-11 in the first quarter on her second 3-pointer.
The Fighting Scots responded with a 9-0 run of their own over the final 3:38, increasing its lead to 44-37. They ended the quarter having forced 14 turnovers for 10 points. UVa-Wise was limited to 10 points in the third quarter on 4-of-9 shooting.
In the fourth quarter, the Cavalier's would cut Edinboro's lead to eight points. But that's as far as they cut into the deficit.
As a team, Edinboro outscored UVa-Wise in the paint during the second half, 22-10, and 40-22 for the game. They also forced 38 turnovers, and scored 18 points off them in each half, in a 36-23 advantage. The Fighting Scots ended the game shooting 40.6 percent (28-of-69), and went at least 43.8 percent over the final three quarters.
The Cavaliers were held to 43.2 percent shooting (19-of-44). They shot 10-of-22 in the second-half, but made 14-32 shots over the final three quarters.
Walton led Edinboro in scoring on the day with 17 points on 7-of-16 from the floor and connected on 3-of-5 3-pointers. The 5'5" redshirt junior also grabbed six rebounds, and led the Fighting Scots with four assists. Rosten also scored in double figures, as she also shot 7-of-16 for 15 points. The 6'2" senior forward also grabbed six boards and blocked three shots in 21 minutes played.
In addition to Sharpe's nine points on the night, two other Fighting Scots tacked on nine points, respectively.
Whitney Allen shot 3-of-5 from the field, while grabbing seven rebounds, with four coming on the offensive side. Jahn tacked on nine points as well, with all nine coming in the second half. She also led the team with four steals.
For UVa-Wise, Oliver ended the day with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting (.667) and drilled four of her five attempted 3-point shots. She also led the Cavaliers with three steals. Cynita Webb led all players with 14 rebounds on the day. 5'11" sophomore forward also contributed seven points on 3-of-6 shooting.
Edinboro returns to McComb Fieldhouse on Wednesday, November 15, as the Fighting Scots face a third straight 20-win team from a season ago in Wheeling Jesuit. The home opener is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
