Women's Basketball Defeats Briarcliffe College

BLOOMSBURG- The Bloomsburg University women's basketball team defeated the Seahawks of Briarcliffe College 71-59 Saturday afternoon at Nelson Field House.

Chantal Hardy (Philadelphia/Harcum College) scored a career-high 23 points in nineteen minutes to pace the Huskies attack, while Lauren Healy (Glenmoore/Owen J. Roberts) added 15 and Steph Jones (Philadephia/Manor College) added 13. Tabrese Harris led Briarcliffe with 20 points.

Bloomsburg ran out to a 9-2 lead over the first five minutes courtesy of two quick jumpers by Healy. Briarcliffe answered with two quick baskets to cut the lead to three with 12:59 remaining in the first period.

The Huskies then blew the lead open with a 17-2 run over the next 6:59, giving the Huskies a 26-12 lead with 5:00 left in the first period. Hardy and Healy keyed the run, with Hardy knocking down back-to-back three pointers and Healy adding four points, contributing to a 34-18 Huskies advantage at the half.

In the second half, Briarcliffe would answer, as Harris and Helena Sargeant scored two easy lay-ups to cut the lead cut the lead down to 40-32 at the 16:20 mark. Bloomsburg would answer with a 9-2 run over the next 2:12 to give the Huskies a 49-34 advantage with 14:06 left. A three pointer from Angela Mensch (Royersford/Spring-Ford) and two lay-ups from Hardy keyed the run for Bloomsburg.

The Seahawks would get the lead down to 11 points at the 3:33 mark, but that would be as close as they would come. Jones scored seven points in the last 3:52 to seal the deal for Bloomsburg.

The Huskies shot 48.4 percent from the field in the game and out-rebounded the Seahawks 44-38. The Huskies improve to 2-2 overall for the season.

Bloomsburg returns to action on Monday night when they host Columbia Union. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m.