Gordon Holds Off Women's Basketball

DAYTONA BEACH, Fl. – Gordon women's basketball team held off a feisty and determined Penn State Behrend women's basketball team 52-48 in non-conference action at the Land of Magic Classic in Daytona Beach, Florida on Saturday.

It was a game where two teams ignored the holiday season of giving and instead played downright stingy defense. One squad had to come away the winner and the Fighting Scots clinched the victory with free throws down the stretch.

Brooke Kratche led all scorers with 17 points and also added eight rebounds, just one of three players in double figures for Gordon. Fredi Nielsen had a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards.

For the Lions (1-7), Sadie Zielinski (Harborcreek, PA/Harborcreek) posted a season-best 14 points, six rebounds, two steals and one block. She also drained three triples, while Brianna Bayly (Imperial, PA/West Allegheny) finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.

With the Gordon holding a 49-44 lead under a minute left, Zielinski had two crucial steals in the last 36 seconds that led to a pair of buckets to pull the Lions within one point, but the Fighting Scots got two free throws by Kratche for a 51-48 lead with 21 seconds remaining.  

Skylar Bareford tallied the last point of the game on a free throw with two seconds on the clock to squash any last three-point attempt for Behrend.

Trailing most of the second half, the Lions tied the game on two occasions and both on three-point plays. Behrend took the lead for the first time since 6:49 mark of the opening half thanks to Ally Burke's (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst) three points for a 41-38 advantage.

The Fighting Scots went on an 11-0 run over the next two minutes but Zielinski helped the Lions stay in the game to until the final seconds.

The first half was in Behrend's favor, beginning with a 7-0 start. Gordon quickly matched that for a 7-all game. The close half ending with Gordon taking a two-point lead with a layup by Nielsen to make it 19-17.

The Lions shot 41.5 percent from the floor, while holding the Fighting Scots to 32 percent. Gordon had the advantage from the line, connecting 13-for-16.

Behrend returns to action on Monday against Rivier. Game time is 2 p.m.