MIAMI, Fla. – The No. 24 Widener University women's basketball team shot better than 52 percent from the field and led nearly wire-to-wire in a 78-53 victory against the Ursinus Bears at the HoopMIA D3 Holiday Shootout on Wednesday afternoon.
"We came out with a lot of energy today and it elevated our play," said head coach
Alisa Kintner. "
Madison Ireland did a great job of setting the tempo offensively and finding open players."
HIGHLIGHTS
- Four players in scored in double figures for the Pride, led by Erin Phelan who dropped 20 on 9-for-11 shooting.
- Mackenzie McCracken had her best game of the season, going for a career-high tying 14 points, also pulling in seven rebounds.
- Ireland turned in a solid overall contest, netting 13 points, dishing five assists, and grabbing five boards.
- Devan Rimmer also scored 13, moving into fourth place on the Widener all-time scoring list with her effort in the game.
- The defense showed up for the Blue and Gold, holding the Bears to 25.8 percent (17-for-66) effort from the field, a season-best total for the Pride.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After trading the first couple baskets of the game, Widener took the lead on a layup by Ireland with 7:32 remaining in the opening quarter. The basket was the second score in a 19-6 run that extended through the end of the frame and gave the Pride a lead it would not relinquish the rest of the way. The Blue and Gold maintained the edge through the second period, taking a 44-29 lead into halftime. Phelan led the way with 12 points in the opening half.
The third period saw a slight extension of the lead as the Pride was one point better in the stanza, going up 59-43 entering the final period. After an even first few minutes of the fourth quarter, Widener closed the game on a 13-4 run to cement the final score.
UP NEXT
The Pride has a break before its next game, returning to action on Saturday, January 4, 2020, hosting the No. 6 Amherst Mammoths. Tipoff from the Schwartz Center is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
