LANGHORNE, PA - In the midst of struggles, the best way to get one's team back on track is to return to defensive principles.
After what may have been one of PBU's most uninspiring performances of the year against Marywood on Thursday night, the Crimson Eagles responded Friday by getting back to what has been their stamp of success throughout nearly all of their regular season wins: dominating defense.
In the midst of their longest losing streak in over five years, PBU responded with a convincing defensive effort that limited rival Lancaster Bible College to just 20 second half points and forced the Chargers into 21.4 percent shooting for the game.
Combine that with PBU's hot 47.9 percent shooting (46.2 percent from the three point line) and plus-21 rebound advantage on the glass (58 to 37), and you have the recipe for the Crimson Eagles' biggest win of the year: an 87-47 rout over the visitors.
PBU began Friday's game by jumping out to an early 8-0 lead sparked by threes from Dani Norton and Summer Mullen. The Crimson Eagles would increase their advantage to 25-9 midway though the first half and would lead by as many as 19 before going into intermission up 42-27.
PBU began the second stanza much like the first, this time opening the first seven minutes of play on a 16-5 run to open up a 29 point lead. LBC would struggle to find a response for the Crimson Eagles' hot shooting as PBU led by as many as 42 before walking away with an 87-47 victory.
PBU utilized a season high 24 offensive rebounds to help generate 19 second chance points for the game. Their 87 points on the offensive end also marks a season high.
Sophomore point guard Sarah Oessenich had a career night for PBU, tallying 15 points on seven of nine shooting all-while adding 12 dimes - marking the second time that Oessenich has topped the double digit mark in assists this season. Junior Summer Mullen also tallied a double-double as the junior out of New Ringgold, PA notched game highs with 19 points and 11 boards - seven coming on the offensive glass. On senior night, the lone fourth year player on the squad, Natalie Nolt, just missed her first career double-double by producing a career high in both points (13) and rebounds (9). Sophomore Dani Norton charted 18 points, while second year forward Lindsey Fornwalt and freshman Caitlin Hess both finished with a similar stat-line of eight points and eight boards.
With Friday's contest concluding PBU's regular season schedule, the Crimson Eagles will begin NCCAA II regional playoffs next week. PBU will host Davis College in the Mason Activity Center in first round regional action on Tuesday at 6:00 pm.
