Women’s Basketball Stuns No. 15 Lebanon Valley, 65-54

(box score)

Widener fell behind early, but rallied to gain a Commonwealth Conference win over No. 15 Lebanon Valley, 65-54 at Schwartz Center.

Lil Carney (Narberth, PA) started off the scoring for the Pride (16-7, 9-3 CC) to tie the score at one basket per team. Widener's score stood still until there was about 13 minutes remaining in the first half with a layup from freshman Courtney Colella (Cinnaminson, NJ), with the assist going to lone senior Lindsay Pepino (Oceanside, NY).

Back-to-back-to-back steals by Vanessa Hejnas (Delran, NJ) and Jennifer Egee (Ridley Park, PA), with baskets following two of the three, brought the score to 43-42 in favor of Widener and the crowd to a roar. Hejnas and Egee each tallied three steals during the game. Following the momentum, Kate Dellinger (Wrightsville, PA) and Hejnas sank two points apiece, and Egee stole yet another ball that turned into points for the Pride as Dellinger got the ball and sank three to make the score 50-42 and forcing the Dutchmen to take a timeout.

Colella blocked a pass with her arms straight up to turn over possession and followed with a hard bank for two. With just four minutes remaining in the game, Widener held a 10-point lead, but it was not finished, gaining four more points from free throws and only allowing Lebanon Valley to score three, giving the team their first Commonwealth Conference loss.

Dellinger had 20 points, 10 rebounds and five three-pointers. Carney followed with 17 points to go with four assists and Hejnas ended with 12 rebounds and six points.

Caitlin Bach had 15 points and 11 rebounds, Caitlin Murphy scored 10 points and Tierney Hiltz grabbed 10 rebounds for the Dutchmen (21-3, 12-1 CC), who had their 15-game conference winning streak snapped.

Widener remains one game behind Messiah (19-4, 10-2 CC) for second place in the league. The teams meet Thursday on Widener's Senior Night, beginning at 7:00.

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