On January 3, the Keystone College women's basketball opened the New Year with a convincing 55-37 victory over Cedar Crest College in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action at the Gambal Athletic Center in La Plume.

The Giants are hoping to repeat that performance this Thursday, February 8, when they take on the Falcons again, this time at Lees Hall in Allentown, Pennsylvania, beginning at 7:00 p.m.  The game was originally scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, but was moved due to the inclement weather that is forecasted for much of Pennsylvania tomorrow.

In the first meeting, Keystone broke away from a 20-16 halftime lead by holding the Falcons to 31.8 percent shooting from the field in the second half.  For the game, the Giants held a 45-35 rebounding advantage and converted 26 Cedar Crest turnovers into 21 points.

Below is a quick glance of both teams.

Cedar Crest news and notes:  the Falcons have lost five straight and haven't won since a 66-58 victory over Immaculata University at home on January 17.  They enter Wednesday's game with a 3-17 overall record, including a 2-11 mark in the CSAC.  Two of their three wins, however, have come on their home court.  Sophomore guards Sylera Weller and Geminii Cabrera carry much of the scoring load for the Falcons, averaging 14.7 and 14.0 points per game, respectively, while senior center Meghan Gregory is the top rebounder at 6.8 boards per game.  In the first meeting between the Falcons and Keystone, Weller led the way with 14 points and Cabrera finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.

Keystone news and notes (team):  the Giants, now 4-17 overall and 3-8 in the CSAC, will look to rebound after dropping a 75-54 decision at home to CSAC North division leader Gwynedd Mercy on Saturday, February 3.  Wednesday's game will be the first of a two-game CSAC road trip for the Giants, which will conclude this Saturday, February 10, against Immaculata University in Immaculata, Pennsylvania, beginning at 1:00 p.m.  In the latest CSAC statistical rankings, Keystone is third in rebounding (42.2 per game), second in offensive rebounds per game (16.), and sixth in blocked shots (2.57 per game) and steals (8.19 per game). 

Keystone news and notes (individual):  Sophomore center Maddy Moro (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) was named to the CSAC weekly honor roll for the period ending Sunday, February 4, after posting back-to-back 'double doubles' in points and rebounds against Clarks Summit University (13 points, 22 rebounds) and Gwynedd Mercy (12 points, 11 rebounds).  She currently leads the CSAC in rebounding (10.6) and is third in blocks (1.4 per game).  So far this season, she has recorded the top three rebounding games in the conference, having pulled down 23 against Cairn University on January 20, 22 against Clarks Summit last Wednesday, and 20 against Gwynedd Mercy on January 22.  Freshman guard Bre Moore (Charleston, W.Va./Pennwood), the Giants' leading scorer at 12.2 points per game, is coming off a 13-point effort in Saturday's loss to Gwynedd Mercy.  She played a season-high 36 minutes Saturday, which is the fifth time in 20 games she has played at least 30 minutes, and is shooting 53.3 percent from the field in her last two games (8 of 15).  Senior guard Nina Hodanich (Scranton, Pa./West Scranton) has started the last nine games and is averaging 12 points per game during this span, raising her scoring average to 10.3 points per game, second-highest on the team.  She leads the Giants in 3-point field goals made (25) and free throw percentage (.833).

Up next:  After Thursday's game at Cedar Crest and Saturday's game at Immaculata, Keystone ends the regular-season by hosting Centenary University next Wednesday, February 14, and Notre Dame on Saturday, February 17.