WEST CHESTER – Coach
Kim Stephens' Glenville State Women's squad opened their 2022 season Saturday afternoon, and escaped West Chester's Hollinger Field House with a narrow 81-79 victory over Bloomsburg University. The Lady Pioneers were able to fend off of a strong second half rally from BU.
Glenville opened with a sluggish start, falling behind 8-3 in the early going. But the Lady Pioneers responded and gained a 17-16 lead by the end of the first quarter. The score remained close in the opening moments of the second quarter, and the GSC lead was still at 29-26 at the stanza's media timeout. At this point, Stephens' squad produced their best surge of the day, closing the half with a 17-6 run, carrying a 46-32 lead into the locker room.
Bloomsburg chipped away in the third quarter, and by the end of the frame, they had whittled the lead to five at 63-58. The deficit would be knocked down to two at 65-63, and then 71-69. Glenville responded with a pair of strong shots, a three-point field goal from
Mashayla Cecil, and one from
Re'Shawna Stone…her third of the day. At the two minute mark, GSC appeared to have regained separation, leading 79-71.
Unfortunately for the GSC faithful, it would not be that easy. Bloomsburg drained some big shots in the final minute, while GSC struggled to close the deal at the free throw line. With one second remaining, Bloomsburg had one final shot, but fortunately for the Lady Pioneers, the shot did not fall.
Stone led Glenville with 21 points, followed by
Zakiyah Winfield with 18, and
Abby Stoller 11. Stoller recorded a team-high 10 rebounds, giving her a double-double in the opener, and she complemented by Winfield with five board. Stone and
Taychaun Hubbard for team-highs with three assists each.
Glenville shot 44.4% from the floor, including a 5-of-25 from behind the arc. They were 12-of-23 from line (52.1%). Bloomsburg shot 47.7% from the floor, and won the overall rebound battle 42-39.
The Lady Pioneers forced 24 Bloomsburg turnovers and had 28 points off of them.
Now sporting a 1-0 record, Glenville plays in Day Two of the event tomorrow, facing the host West Chester squad. Tip-off is set for 12:00 noon.
