SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.V. – The Kutztown University women's basketball team found itself out in front at halftime, but a slow third quarter allowed Shepherd University to take control of the game and end up winning it, 70-62, Saturday afternoon in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division matchup in Shepherdstown, W.V.
The Golden Bears (11-8 overall, 8-5 PSAC) have dropped their second consecutive game after previously winning five in-a-row before that point. They were playing the Rams (14-5, 8-5) for the first time since 2011, joining the PSAC this season, and were competing in the state of West Virginia for the first time since 2016.
Rylee Derr (Lititz, Pa./Warwick) led all scorers with 19 points and added six rebounds and three assists.
Zoe Zerman (Jonestown, Pa./Northern Lebanon) tallied 11 points and three assists, and
Brianna Tarabocchia (Woodcliff Lake, N.J./Northern Valley Regional) nearly recorded a double-double, finishing with 10 points and nine rebounds as the KU trio scored in double-figures.
In a back-and-forth first half, the teams found themselves tied 13-13 after the opening quarter, and Kutztown held a slim two-point lead, 27-25 at halftime. But Shepherd turned it on in the third quarter, outscoring KU 21-11 to take an eight-point lead into the fourth, where it would hold on to claim the victory.
Gabbi Wright (Elkins Park, Pa./Cheltenham) fell one point shy of double-digits, ending her day with nine points, while freshman
Casey Remolde (Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Basil Academy) recorded eight points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
Annie Whalen (Ivyland, Pa./Archbishop Wood) contributed three points, while
Karen Lapkiewicz (Southampton, Pa./Saint Basil Academy) rounded out the scoring for KU with two points.
Shepherd received 50 of its 70 points from three players, Sydney Clayton (20), Marley McLaughlin (16) and Abby Beeman (14).
Kutztown will return home after three straight games on the road. KU will host Bloomsburg in a PSAC East game on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 5:30 p.m., inside Keystone Arena.
