Brandywine's Comeback Bid Falls Short

MEDIA, Pa. – Penn State Brandywine cut a 21-point deficit to just two points late in the fourth quarter, but could not complete the comeback, falling 61-59 against Penn State York in Penn State University Athletic Conference women's basketball action on Wednesday night.

Brandywine was limited to one made field goal during the opening quarter as the Lions trailed 13-8 through 10 minutes. 

York pushed its lead to nine points before Kiara Koger (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti) knocked down the Lions' first three-pointer of the night, making the count 21-15 early in the second, but the visitors outscored Brandywine 9-3 during the final 5:44 of the period and held a 30-18 edge at the break.

The York lead reached its largest point of the night at 21 points when Jayla Brown sank a jumper with 4:18 to go in the third quarter. 

Katelyn Johnson (Clifton Heights, Pa./Upper Darby) got the Brandywine rally started by converting a three-point play 31 seconds later. Johnson's three points were the first of a 13-4, quarter-ending run that brought the Lions with 50-38.

Brandywine's surge continued early in the final period as Dairayonna Stewart-Harold (New Castle, Del./William Penn) connected for a jumper and added a free throw. Athena Brombacher (Vacaville, Calif./Will C. Wood) followed with two free throws and Johnson canned a triple to cut the margin to four points with 6:58 to go.

Brombacher connected for another free throw to trim the deficit to two points just over a minute later, but York answered with two consecutive baskets to maintain a six-point cushion.

The visitors still owned a six-point edge with 1:36 on the clock before Brandywine began its final charge. Anaiyah Allen (Lutz, Fla./Steinbrenner) sank a bucket and after a steal, Amanda Floyd (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro) converted a layup to make the count 61-59.

Two York free throws with nine seconds to play were off the mark, giving Brandywine one final opportunity to tie or take the lead; however, the Lions were unable to connect from the free throw line with less than one second remaining as York held on for the win.

Koger and Brombacher both produced double-doubles to lead the Lions. Koger scored eight of her 14 points in the second half and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Brombacher coupled 12 points with 10 boards. Johnson added 10 points and five rebounds.

Brandywine forced 27 turnovers, but shot just 25 percent from the field, including 3-of-20 attempts from beyond the three-point line.

Brandywine (7-9, 6-5 PSUAC) looks to bounce back Saturday at Penn State Hazleton at 12:00 PM.