WINCHESTER, Va. – Gettysburg College posted a school-record 13 blocked shots and held Shenandoah University to 17.5 percent shooting from the field as the Bullets secured a 52-34 non-conference victory in women's basketball action Monday night.
Gettysburg (8-0) closed out the first semester with a perfect record for the first time since 2009-10. Nine of the team's blocked shots came in the second period as the Bullets topped the previous record of 12 set against Lebanon Valley College on Feb. 3, 2001.
Freshman Annie Reilly (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) swatted five shots to go with a season-high eight points and five rebounds. Junior Jessica Porter (Narberth, Pa./Lower Merion) added 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while senior Jenna Swope (Warminster, Pa./Archbishop Wood) grabbed a dozen rebounds, scored seven points, and dished out a career-high five assists. Junior Emily Duggan (Marmora, N.J./Ocean City) made all three of her shot attempts for six points to go with seven rebounds and three blocks.
Shenandoah (5-3) held a 7-6 lead following a three-point play by Holly Chittenden just over five minutes into the game. The Bullets stormed in front with a 12-0 run sparked by back-to-back lay-ups by sophomore Sara Graham (Pottstown, Pa./The Hill School), who tied a personal best with eight points in the contest.
After a Hornet three-pointer made it 18-12, Gettysburg's defense went on lockdown. The visitors held the hosts without a single field goal until 48 seconds into the start of the final period. An old-fashioned three-point play by Swope set the score at 25-12 heading into halftime.
Gettysburg set an early tone with two blocks by Reilly to start the final period. The lead grew to 17 (33-16) following a jumper by Porter at 15:14.
The Hornets sliced the margin to single-digits after a pair of free throws by Kensha Walker made it 41-33 with 4:41 to play. The threat was short-lived as the Bullets ended the game on an 11-1 run.
Gettysburg, which came into the game sixth in the nation in defensive field-goal percentage, held Shenandoah to just 11-of-63 from the field. It was the lowest shooting percentage by an opponent since McDaniel College shot 15.2 percent on Jan. 15, 2013. The Bullets also held a significant advantage on the glass at 47-34.
With the defense holding steady, the offense turned in its most efficient night from the field of the season, canning 23-of-49 (46.9 percent) field goals. The Bullets dominated the painted area, out-scoring the hosts 36-12.
Gettysburg is off until hosting its annual tournament on Jan. 4-5. The Bullets face Hood College in the opening game at 2 p.m., while Neumann University faces Wilkes University at 4 p.m.