December 1, 2012
Defense carries Grove City to league win
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- The Grove City College women's basketball team evened its Presidents' Athletic Conference record at 1-1 Saturday afternoon by earning a 55-44 home win over conference rival Bethany (1-5, 0-2) in the Grove City College Arena.
Grove City (2-2 overall) held Bethany to just 17 second-half points after the Bison had forged a 27-27 tie by halftime. The Wolverines forced 25 Bethany turnovers and held the Bison to just 26 percent (16 of 61) shooting from the field for the game.
Senior guard Leah Gibson (North Canton, Ohio/Hoover) led Grove City with a season-high 21 points and sophomore guard Kelsey Shirey (Macedonia, Ohio/Nordonia) collected 16 points and eight rebounds.
Grove City never trailed in the game but needed a 9-0 run in the second half to reclaim command. Gibson ignited the run with a three-pointer at the 16-minute mark, breaking a 33-33 tie. Sophomore center Marie Carroll (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) and Gibson followed with consecutive layups while a Shirey basket gave Grove City a 42-33 lead with 11:49 left.
Three-pointers from Shirey and senior guard Alicia Maust (Natrona Heights, Pa./Cheswick Christian) helped the Wolverines jump out to a 15-5 lead in the first half.
For the game, Grove City shot 35 percent (20 of 58) from the field. The Wolverines also outrebounded Bethany 48-44. Freshman Mary McDonald (Slippery Rock, Pa./Portersville Christian) grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. Carroll added eight points and six rebounds. Sophomore Brandy Nickoloff (Pittsburgh, Pa./Saint Joseph) recorded five assists while Shirey had four steals and three assists.
Taylor Verrico led Bethany with 21 points.
Grove City will visit conference foe Waynesburg Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m.
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