Lady Knights keep it close early, can’t keep up with Christendom
By Blake Myers
Knightly News Sports Reporter
blake.myers@mymail.centralpenn.edu
On Saturday afternoon, the Central Penn Lady Knights fell to the Christendom Crusaders 77-59 in a marquee United States Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup at East Pennsboro Area High School, in Enola.
“It’s great to be home and be able to be in front of a home crowd,” Knights coach Stasia King said, adding that ““we have worked hard on defense and being disciplined.”
In the first couple minutes of the game, the Knights and Crusaders found themselves locked in a seesaw battle with the score at 8-7, Knights. Throughout the first quarter, Knights frosh guard Ahnae Robinson put on a show, scoring eight consecutive points for the Knights and totaling 17 first-quarter points, propelling them to an early lead.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Lady Knights turned up the pressure in the first quarter, as Knights junior guard Sydney Bubb registered an emphatic block and made a coast-to-coast layup that would set the tone of the first quarter, making the score 23-14.
To start the second quarter, Christendom came out firing on all cylinders, mounting a 10-0 run to start the period and putting the Crusaders in the lead. In the middle of the quarter, the Knights would heat up from behind the arc, hitting three 3-point baskets and going on a 9-0 run, capped by a big 3-point shot by Bubb. Late in the half, the Crusaders would retake the lead, making it a 33-32 game going into the second half.
Photo by Dylan Bowman
Photo by Dylan Bowman
Photo by Dylan Bowman
Just as in the beginning of the second quarter, Christendom started the second half with a strong 9-2 run capped by a Mary Pennefather 3-point basket from way behind the arc to stretch the lead to seven. Midway through the third quarter, the Lady Knights would attempt to rally after two back-to-back Brandi Swinton layups.
While the Knights would rally, the Crusaders would start the pull away late in the quarter, thanks to another Pennefather 3-pointer. This put the Crusaders up by the score of 56-49 going into the final quarter. Pennefather registered 15 points in the third quarter alone, with two 3-point baskets and 5 points from the free-throw line.
In the fourth quarter, it was all Crusaders, as more of the same would occur. Christendom would continue to hurt the Knights from deep and build onto the lead, making the score 67-50 midway through the fourth quarter. Robinson, however, had a great quarter, putting up 10 points and continuing to rally the Knights, but it was not enough. The Christendom Crusaders would keep the Lady Knights quiet in the remaining moments of the game and win the game, 77-59.
The Knightly News Player of the Game was Robinson, registering 32 points, 8 rebounds and 7 steals. Center Allison Yoder added 10 points and 9 rebounds in the losing effort.
For Christendom, Pennefather poured in an incredible 48 points and added 11 rebounds, headlined by an astounding 10-for-13 from beyond the arc. Catherine Thomas added 17 points and 13 rebounds in the victory.
With the defeat, the Lady Knights fell to 7-8 on the season, while Christendom improved to 11-1.
The Lady Knights return to action on Jan. 18 versus Lehigh Carbon Community College, their first of five consecutive road contests. They return home to face Penn State Schuylkill on Feb. 8.
Comment or story idea? Contact KnightlyEditors@CentralPenn.Edu.
