Box Score
LANGHORNE, PA - The final result didn't turn out favorably for the women's basketball team during the second round of the NCCAA Tournament Friday afternoon, but it didn't have anything to do with a lack of effort from fourth-year vet Dani Norton
The senior sharpshooter spouted off for a career high 37 points during PBU's 77-67 loss to Manhattan Christian College, almost single-handedly keeping the Crimson Eagles within striking distance throughout the 40 minute tussle.
Already the all-time leading scorer in PBU women's basketball history, Norton's performance on Friday helped her reach yet another landmark in her illustrious career. With 17 seconds left in the contest, Norton splashed her fifth triple of the ballgame, helping the two-time NCCAA All-American snap the 2,000 point barrier for her career.
But despite Norton's best efforts, the Crimson Eagles were battered by second chance points throughout Friday's contest as the seventh-seeded Crusaders drilled PBU with 21 put-back buckets fueled by 18 offensive boards for the game. In fact, rebounding troubles dogged the host squad for the duration of play as Manhattan out-muscled the red and white on the block, finishing the afternoon with a lopsided 41-19 margin in total rebounds.
The Crimson Eagles finished the contest extremely efficient from long range, connecting on seven of 15 trey balls for the game. But a sub-par defensive effort from the host group was the difference-maker as Manhattan dropped in 60.9 percent of their second half field goal attempts en route to a 55.4 percent shooting clip for the game - an eye-popping mark against a PBU defensive unit that entered the contest allowing the opposition to hit just 37.8 of their attempts for the year.
Nearly every PBU push was met by a Crusader answer on Friday as the visitors used four double-figure scorers in the 10 point win, paced by Brianna Helfrich's 22 points.
Sarah Poole chipped in with 11 points for PBU and senior Lindsey Formwalt and junior Careth Herron added eight and seven, respectively.
The Crimson Eagles will continue their search for the team's first triumph during national tourney action. During the third and final day of the tournament, PBU will conclude their 2009-10 season against eighth-seeded North Central University on Saturday at 1:00 pm.
