Sophomore guards Desiree Sterling (Newton Falls, OH/Newton Falls H.S.) and Rachel Eaton (Rimersburg/Union H.S.) split team-high scoring honors with 14 points apiece to lead the Westminster College women's basketball team to a 72-49 win at Grove City College today in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) opener for both teams. The Lady Titans (10-4, 1-0 PAC) posted their third consecutive victory, while the Wolverines (7-7, 0-1 PAC) had their two-game win streak snapped.
Leading 7-6 just five minutes into the game, Westminster went on an 8-0 run to take a 15-6 advantage with 12:24 to go in the half. The Lady Titans held a single digit lead for much of the remainder of the period, before closing the half with an 11-2 run in the final three minutes to build a 12-point advantage (37-25) at the break. Westminster would hold a double-digit lead the rest of the way. Grove City closed to within 10 points (45-35) with 12:58 to play in the game, but the Lady Titans answered with a 9-0 run to put the game out of reach at 54-35 with 8:16 left.
The 14 markers by Eaton set a new career-high, while Sterling (who was a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range) added a game- and career-high 10 rebounds for her first career double-double. Freshman guard Emilee Ackerman (Greensburg/Hempfield H.S.) also reached double figures in scoring with 12 points, including 11 in the opening half. Senior guard Alyson Gasper (Beaver Falls/Blackhawk H.S.) dished out a game-high eight assists in the victory. Grove City was paced by freshman Rachel McCoy with a game-high 17 points in defeat.
Westminster shot 46 percent from the field (25-of-55), including a season-best 59 percent from three-point range (10-of-17). Grove City shot at a 41 percent (20-of-49) clip, including just 17 percent (1-of-6) from beyond the arc. The Lady Titans also outrebounded the Wolverines 37-26.
Westminster women's basketball returns to home action this Wednesday, Jan. 19, as Westminster hosts PAC rival Thiel College at Buzz Ridl Gymnasium beginning at 6 p.m.
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is ranked among national leaders in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Guide to America’s Best Colleges, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of 'The Best 357 Colleges' and 'Best 115 in the Mid-Atlantic' by The Princeton Review, and was recognized by the Templeton Guide as a 'Character Building College.'
Nearly 1,600 students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty, while choosing from 40 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa. campus.