Lions Pull Away Early in Victory Over Berks

By Jimmy McCumber

The Albright College women's basketball team doubled host Penn State-Berks in the first half of a cross-town matchup, winning 71-43 on Tuesday night.

Albright led 35-17 at halftime and continued that solid play despite a closer second half scoreline- shooting 57.1% after the break and holding the Nittany Lions to just 24.1% in the second period.

Freshman Kelecia Harris led the way with a double-double, totaling 14 points (on 7-of-9 shooting) and 10 rebounds. Junior Meghan Boyle added 10 points and six boards, while classmate Kristi McFadden hit a pair of threes and finished with 12 points overall.

McFadden also had four assists, while sophomore Tara Sabotchick had a game-high six helpers. Harris added three blocks.

Berks took one of their only two leads of the game at 5-4 on a free throw from Keisha Robinson. Jessica Venturelli answered right back with a jumper, but the Nittany Lions soon were up 9-8 after Sherrie Satchel's basket.

Harris put the Lions back up and Venturelli followed with a three-pointer to make it 13-9 Albright. Junior Shawn Barczynski then had a three-point play as the Lions went on a 12-2 run.

Up 26-17, the Red and White ended the first half on a 9-0 run, capped by free throws from Boyle and senior Kari Ludy in the final minute of the period.

Boyle got Albright going in the second half with a layup after two-and-a-half minutes, and the Lions took a 20-point lead on Sabotchick's trey with 11:35 left.

Breah Strickler was in double-figures for Berks with 11 points, while Satchel and Nichole Young-Trapp each had 10.

Albright improves to 2-1 and will have its home opener next Monday, 7 p.m. against Moravian. Berks falls to 0-3 on the year.