DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Widener Women's Basketball closed out their trip to Daytona Beach, Florida with an 83–74 victory over Maine Maritime Academy.
The Pride improve to 9-2 on the season.
BY THE NUMBERS
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Lindsay Kutz led all scorers with 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting, adding 12 rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 37 minutes.
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Widener shot 42.4% from the field, scored 40 points in the paint, and converted 23 free throws, while forcing 16 turnovers and turning them into 21 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Widener weathered an early surge from Maine Maritime, which jumped out to a 9–2 lead. Baer and Daniels helped steady the Pride, combining for points in the paint and at the free-throw line as Widener chipped away at the deficit. Strong defensive plays from Riley Stackhouse and Baer sparked a late run, highlighted by fast-break finishes and trips to the line. Widener closed the quarter on a 5–0 stretch to pull within 19–15 at the end of the opening quarter.
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The Pride responded in the second quarter by steadily closing the gap behind efficient scoring from Kutz and Daniels. A Kutz three-pointer sparked the offense, and the Pride used multiple steals from Stackhouse to generate transition opportunities and momentum. Kimberly Casiello drained a key three midway through the quarter to give Widener its first lead, while Kutz continued to finish at the rim late. Widener carried a 43–38 advantage into halftime after outscoring Maine Maritime in the quarter.
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Widener opened the third quarter by maintaining its edge behind defensive pressure and transition scoring, with steals from Kutz and Daniels leading to a fastbreak layup by Baer. Kutz continued to attack the paint, scoring on back-to-back finishes to push the lead to seven, while Stackhouse added two free throws to extend the margin to nine. Maine Maritime responded late with free throws and a fastbreak basket to trim the gap, but a Giada Palmieri bucket at the buzzer allowed Widener to hold a 59–57 advantage heading into the fourth.
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The Pride took control early in the fourth as Kutz finished inside and Baer knocked down a three to stretch the lead to five, then Kutz added to push the margin to seven. The Pride continued to answer every Maine Maritime push with timely baskets from Daniels, Baer, and Stackhouse, keeping the advantage at two possessions for much of the quarter. Strong defense and steady free-throw shooting down the stretch sealed the win as Widener closed out the 83–74 victory.
UP NEXT
Widener heads back to Pennsylvania to face Alvernia on Wednesday, January 7, in Reading, Pa., with tip-off set for 5 p.m.
