Strong Defensive Effort Helps W&J Earn Victory At Geneva
BEAVER FALLS, Pa. -- Aided by 34 forced turnovers, the Washington & Jefferson women's basketball team downed Geneva 62-42 on Saturday afternoon at Matheny Fieldhouse.
The Presidents (8-7, 3-5 PAC ) scored 39 points off those turnovers, while limiting the Golden Tornadoes (3-12, 2-6 PAC) to just 32 percent shooting (15-46).
Senior point guard Vanessa Rivera (Reading, Pa./Wilson) led the team with four steals. She also added seven points and five assists.
Senior Ashley Kirkpatrick (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic) and freshman Alexa DelGreco (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton LaSalle) both added three swipes. Kirkpatrick also contributed three blocks and led the team with 15 points and seven rebounds.
W&J built a 28-20 halftime advantage by holding Geneva to just 6-28 shooting (.214) during the first stanza.
The Presidents were never really threatened in the second half, as they built a lead as large as 21 points. W&J led by double figures for nearly the entire second half.
W&J shot just 29 percent (19-64) from the field, but was helped by solid free throw shooting (20-26) and a season-low six turnovers.
Beth DeLuca paced the Golden Tornadoes with 16 points. Rachel Rouan chipped in seven points and 12 rebounds.
The Presidents return home on Wednesday for a game against local PAC-rival Waynesburg (6:00 pm).
