W&J Women’s Basketball Drops First Game Of Year
WASHINGTON, Pa. -- La Roche turned 28 Washington & Jefferson turnovers into 31 points as the Redhawks knocked off the undefeated Presidents 83-70 Saturday in non-conference women’s basketball action at the Henry Memorial Center.
The Redhawks (2-1) had four players in double figures led by LaShauna Brothers’ 17 points off the bench. Jessica Pitts added 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals for La Roche, which shot 48 percent (31-of-65).
La Roche never trailed after racing out to a 12-point lead (27-15) in the opening 10 minutes. W&J closed to within 43-38 in the final minute of the half after a three-pointer from junior guard Alex Bernardi (Saint Clair, Mich./Saint Clair), but Casie Cygan answered with a triple for LC and the Redhawks took a 46-38 lead into halftime.
Sophomore center Valerie Dunlap’s (Hostetter, Pa./Latrobe) free throw at the 15:27 mark cut the gap to 48-44; however, La Roche put the game away with a 16-2 run over the next six minutes with 10 points coming from Brothers. The lead never dipped below double digits the rest of the way.
La Roche made 8-of-17 three-pointers and also received eight points and nine assists from Leslie McPherson.
Junior forward Chelsea Apke (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon) paced the Presidents with 21 points, six rebounds and five steals. She made 10-of-14 shots. Freshman guard Ashley Mikelonis (South Park, Pa./South Park) added 14 points (3-3 field goals, 7-of-9 free throws), while Bernardi finished with nine points and six rebounds.
W&J shot 52 percent (22-of-42) and made 20-of-31 free throws, but was undone by the 28 miscues.
The Presidents open Presidents’ Athletic Conference play Wednesday night against Westminster (6:00 pm).
