WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The Urbana University women's basketball team opened the season with a 63-59 victory over host West Chester University at the Carol Eckman Memorial.
Senior forward
Sylvia Hudson scored 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting to lead the Blue Knights. Hudson, who was cleared to play only a few days ago following offseason surgery, scored 10 points in the fourth quarter – half of the team's total for the period – which included a clutch layup with 14 seconds remaining and pair of free throws.
In her debut, graduate transfer
Tyra James posted a double-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Sophomore
Bailey Draughn also reached double digits with 13 points and senior
Weston Minnich grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds.
Urbana led for the majority of the game, despite 26 turnovers, by limiting West Chester to 36-percent shooting on its home floor. The Blue Knights raced out to a 12-2 lead in the first quarter and built a 26-20 halftime advantage as both teams struggled in the second. The Golden Rams shot just 7 of 30 (23%) over the first 20 minutes of action while the Blue Knights hit nearly 40 percent during that span.
Then, West Chester clawed back to gain its first lead late in the third. The Golden Rams led 45-43 at the end of the quarter to set up an exciting finish.
Kami McEldowney knocked down a pair of free throws to tie the game with 9:34 remaining and seven lead changes would follow.
Neither team led by more than a possession in the final frame until the final seconds.
West Chester claimed a 51-48 lead, but Hudson's layup with 2:25 to go broke a 55-55 tie to put the Blue Knights ahead for good.
West Chester's Leah Johnson led the Rams with 16 points, seven boards and four steals.
Urbana shot 43 percent overall from the floor, but just 3 of 18 (17%) from three-point range. Free-throw shooting was key as the Blue Knights finished 12 of 15 from the stripe. UU also held the rebounding edge, 45-34.
Four players made their Blue Knight debut, including James,
Kasey Knippen,
Shalaya Heath and
Alivia Koenig.
UP NEXT: Urbana takes on Millersville University tomorrow in a neutral-site matchup. Tipoff is set for noon inside Hollinger Field House.
