Women's Basketball Notches 68-63 Win at Rowan

(box score)

Sophomore Joanna Persiano (Absecon, NJ) scored 13 of her career-high 22 points in the second half and junior Francesca Lee (Hainesport, NJ) hit the go-ahead basket with 29 seconds left for Widener in a 68-63 triumph at Rowan in Glassboro, NJ.

Widener (6-3) looked in control by opening the second half on a 10-2 run for a 43-31 lead in the first 2 1/2 minutes. Persiano canned a pair of 3-pointers in that span and junior Vanessa Hejnas (Delran, NJ) scored four points.

Rowan (5-6) began to chip away, eventually using an 18-8 spurt in just over nine minutes for a 61-61 tie with 59 seconds remaining. Lauren Gregg's layup ended the run and provided the game's first tie.

It was all Pride afterward en route to their fourth straight victory. Junior Lil Carney (Narberth, PA) missed a jumper, but Lee was right there for the putback and was fouled by Gregg. Lee completed the three-point play for a 64-61 Widener cushion.

Lauren Creel was fouled for the Profs and connected on two free throws with 20 seconds left for a 64-63 contest. Rowan had to foul and chose Persiano, who had yet to step to the line on the day but hit both ends of a 1-and-1 with 10 seconds to go for a 66-63 lead.

Widener's defense then forced two turnovers after the free throws, but only one was called. Rowan's inbounder actually stepped on the baseline in hesitance with no one to pass to, but the officials missed it. The second one was whistled on Erin Farrell as she was looking to pass the ball from midcourt and traveled with seven seconds remaining.

Persiano canned two free throws with 5.9 seconds left for the final. She also set a career best by hitting six 3-pointers and her points break her previous high of 20 set in the season opener November 15 versus Swarthmore.

Hejnas had 10 points and nine rebounds with junior and defending Commonwealth Conference Player of the Week Kate Dellinger (Wrightsville, PA) tying a career high with 13 rebounds. The Pride owned a decided 57-38 rebounding edge that included 27-13 on the offensive boards.

Creel scored 16 points and Chanelle Banta added 14 for the Profs, who shot only 37 percent (23-of-62) from the floor.

Widener is off until December 28, when it plays Bridgewater State at the Land of Magic Classic in Daytona Beach, FL. Game time is 2:00 pm.

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