CHESTER, Pa. (Nov. 24, 2015) – Senior captain Brianna Wylie (Mount Laurel, N.J.) recorded her fourth double-double of the season as the Widener University women's basketball team defeated Wesley by a 73-55 score on Tuesday evening at the Schwartz Center. The Pride registered their fourth straight victory by outscoring the Wolverines by a 27-point margin over the final three quarters.
 
Widener was plagued by cold shooting in the first quarter and trailed 16-7 through 10 minutes of action before starting to rally in the second. Sophomore Allison Gallagher (Souderton, Pa.) and Wylie combined for 13 of the Pride's first 15 points in the second quarter to slash the deficit down from as many as 12 to just two near the midway point of the frame. Freshman Emily Hardy (Lewisberry, Pa.) then tied the match by sinking two free throws with under a minute left to tie the game at 28 before a layup on the other end gave the Wolverines a 30-28 edge at recess.
 
Despite never holding a lead in the first half, the Pride carried the momentum they gained from the second quarter into the third by scoring 13 of the first 14 points to jump ahead by a 42-31 score. Wylie, who scored 19 points in the second half, converted a layup to start the scoring before sophomore Julia Venturelli (Bridgewater, N.J.) canned a jumper and a trifecta to put the hosts ahead for the first time. Senior Nikki Sutliff (Sweet Vallley, Pa.) added a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 12, and a free throw by Brianna Cullen (Lansdale, Pa.) made it 48-37 at the end of the third.
 
Widener kept its foot on the gas pedal throughout the fourth and prompted Wesley (1-3) to take a timeout after senior Ally Ferrucci (Vineland, N.J.) set up Wylie for a layup that created a 60-41 score with 6:50 left. Senior Sarah Engman (Havertown, Pa.) then gave the Pride their largest lead of the game by completing a three-point play the old-fashioned way down the stretch. The center finished a pass from freshman Julia Sanders (Pitman, N.J.) on the left block and made the ensuing free throw to give the hosts a 21-point cushion and more than enough insurance to win their fourth straight game.
 
Wylie exploded for 27 points and 14 rebounds to lead the way for Widener, which had a commanding 51-33 advantage on the glass. The senior shot 12-of-15 from the fioor and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe. Gallagher contributed 10 points and five boards, while Sutliff was a spark off the bench with eight points and three rebounds in nine minutes of action.
 
Wesley was led by Brionna Johnson's double-double effort. She had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Brittney Kerns and Alexus Stroud contributed 13 points apiece in reserve roles.
 
Widener (4-1) returns to action when it opens up conference play at Hood on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 1:00 p.m.