KUTZTOWN, Pa.-- Despite shooting a season-low 29% from the floor, the Kutztown University women's basketball team (12-9, 10-5 PSAC) showed great resiliency and used some critical defensive stops down the stretch to outlast Mansfield (9-11, 5-9 PSAC) 46-43 at Keystone Arena Saturday afternoon.
The Golden Bears, who currently occupy the third seed in the PSAC East, move four games above Mansfield in the conference tournament picture. KU's win streak also extends to five games, its longest of the season.
Olivia Smelas (Jim Thorpe, Pa./Jim Thorpe) was a jack of all trades for Janet Malouf's squad in the win. The sophomore center played a season-high 33 minutes, snagging a game-high 13 rebounds while dishing out a team-high five assists to go along with seven points. Zara Zerman (Jonestown, Pa./Northern Lebanon) was the only Golden Bear in double-figures with 10 points to go along with five rebounds. Jasmine Hilton registered a double-double for the Mounties with 15 points and 11 boards in 36 minutes of action.
As previously mentioned, it wasn't an offensive performance either side would like to remember. Despite KU shooting 29% from the floor, Mansfield shot 26.4%, including a 1-20 mark from beyond the arc. The Golden Bears didn't do much better from deep, shooting 5-22 (22.7%).
It was a tale of two quarters to start the game for the Golden Bears. KU held Mansfield to only four points in the first quarter, their second-lowest total allowed in a quarter this season. The Mounties were held to 1-15 (6.7%) from the floor, including an 0-8 mark from three. Smelas led the way for the Golden Bears with five points, three assists, and two boards in the first ten minutes of action to see KU up 18-4 after one.
The second quarter was one to forget for the Golden Bears. Like the Mounties in the first, KU matched Mansfield's four-point output, its lowest total in a quarter this season. Mansfield found more of an offensive groove, netting 12 points, seven of which came from Hilton. Both teams went a combined 0-12 from beyond the arc as the Golden Bears entered the half up 22-16.
The third quarter remained unkind to the Golden Bears on the offensive end. KU shot 3-for-9 from the floor while turning the ball over six times. Kenedy Stroup's jumper with one minute left in the third tied things at 33 as the game entered its final stanza.
The teams traded baskets throughout the final quarter until it was tied at 42 with 3:15 left. A pair of free throws made by Zerman, followed by one made by Emilie Leidig made it 44-43. The Mounties had the ball with 26 seconds and a chance to take the lead, but a turnover under the basket from Hilton gave KU the ball back. Bella Arcuri (Fallsington, Pa./Pennsbury) made her pair of charity shots to make it 46-43.
Leidig had a look to tie from three with 16 seconds left but missed her three-ball attempt. Naia Pulliam (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) was sent to the line after grabbing the board and missed two free throws, giving Mansfield one more shot to tie. Danae Ellzy had the look she needed from three as time expired, but her shot was just off as KU walked away 46-43 winners.
The Golden Bears kick off a massive road swing this week against Lock Haven, who currently occupy the first seed in the PSAC East. That game from Lock Haven on Wednesday, Feb. 7 will tip off at 5:30 p.m.
