Box Score
LANGHORNE, PA - Saturday's effort against North Central University in the final round of the NCCAA National Tournament proved to be a test of the women's basketball team's determination and resiliency.
Examination passed.
Having dropped their first two games of the tourney in somewhat disappointing fashion, the Crimson Eagles found themselves in yet another undesirable predicament on Saturday as the group watched an 18-4 first period lead evaporate over an eight minute span to close out the beginning stanza.
The Crimson Eagles utilized a well-balanced attack with five different scorers contributing to the early edge, but the Rams managed to whittle away at the margin highlighted by six straight points from North Central rookie forward Hope Sevile to close out the initial period. Following North Central's 17-7 rally, PBU somehow managed to maintain a four point advantage at the break, leading 25-21.
Seven minutes into the second period the Rams continued their push, collecting what ended up being their only lead of the contest. The visitor's celebration was short lived as PBU freshman Hannah McCardle thwarted any momentum North Central was building as she splashed home a triple 30 seconds later to give the Crimson Eagles a two point cushion.
With play weaving back and forth through much of the remainder of the contest, the Crimson Eagles exhibited a bend-but-not-break nature, responding in admirable fashion to every Ram jugular swing. With six minutes left, the host group was able to balloon their advantage back to seven, but several timely buckets down the stretch from North Central helped the visitors keep hope.
Showing resiliency of their own, the Rams eventually dropped the deficit to just two points, 48-46, with three minutes remaining. A couple of missed shots and turnovers later from both squads, it wasn't until Careth Herron's three-point dagger with just over a minute to go that ended as the difference-maker.
A Ram triple with 21 seconds left pulled the group back to within three, but the squad couldn't convert on a last second heave from 20 feet out in an attempt to put the game into extra sessions.
Despite shooting just 33.3 percent for the game, the Crimson Eagles thankfully employed their pesky defensive ways as the Rams were limited to just 19 field goals for the game including a shaky three for 14 effort from downtown. PBU also protected the basketball, giving the rock away just 15 times throughout the afternoon to signal their second-best effort in that category for the season.
Herron proved to be extremely efficient for the host group as the junior guard drilled four of seven field goal attempts while putting up 14 points, nine rebounds, and four steals. Senior Dani Norton closed out her storied career with an 11 point, eight rebound effort, and classmate Lindsey Fornwalt chipped in with eight points and five boards. Sarah Oessenich finished with a respectable stat-line of seven helpers, five points, and four rebounds in the triumph for PBU.
The victory gives the Crimson Eagles a seventh place finish within the NCCAA National Tournament as the group closes out the season with a final record of 8-22.
