HIRAM, Ohio – Jessica Cowan recorded a game-high 21 points and drained two three-pointers to give Hiram the lead for good and an eventual 72-66 win over Penn State Behrend in non-conference women's basketball action on Sunday.
The Terriers (2-0) were down by three points after the first half and managed the come-back victory, making the difference in free-throws by going 12-for-18 in the second stanza. Every player that got in the game for Hiram scored, getting 12 points from Kelsey Durichko and 10 by Emily Smerchansky.
The Lions (2-2) were led by Aly Eagle's and Holly Bourquin's 16 points apiece. Bourquin added 10 boards to post her second straight double-double. Behrend, playing back-to-back games this weekend, finished with an even record after defeating RIT 81-69 yesterday.
Sarah Schweitzer and Amy Oldach hit consecutive layups with 10 minutes left in the second half for a Behrend 54-49 lead. That was the last time the Lions would be the leader on the scoreboard. On the next two possessions, Cowan nailed a pair of triples to give the home team a one-point edge.
After Durichko hit two free-throws, Cowan followed in her footsteps and got two from the line to fall for a 59-56 lead. Oldach's fast-break layup made it 59-58, but a 3-for-4 showing from the charity stripe and a three-pointer by Marisa Thomas with 5:48 left gave Hiram a 65-60 advantage.
The Lions made it a five-point game off Abby Henderson's trey, the closest they would get in the final minutes.
Behrend came out blazing from behind the arc in the opening minutes of the game, draining four three-pointers for a comfortable 12-point lead at 16-4. Oldach hit two while Eagle and Kim Pol each recorded three points.
The Terriers slowly chipped away at the lead and tied the game at 22-all thanks to a 12-0 run over a seven-minute span. The Lions never gave up the lead in the first half despite the game being tied twice.
Oldach finished with 10 points and five steals. Emily Detsch contributed six points and eight rebounds.
Behrend returns to action on Wednesday for its first conference contest at Medaille. Game time is 6 p.m.