Box Score
CLARION, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's basketball team could not overcome a cold shooting first half as hosting Clarion opened up a 41-19 halftime lead and cruised to a 73-50 win in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division action Wednesday night.
The loss is the fifth straight for The Rock, which drops to 5-14 overall and 2-13 in PSAC action at the conclusion of the first round of divisional play. Clarion improves to 6-13 overall and 5-10 in league play.
The Golden Eagles were in control from the opening tip, jumping out to a 9-0 run after just four minutes and pushing the lead out to 19-2 with 11:24 left in the first half. The lead increased to 32-11 with just over five minutes to play before the break and Clarion closed the period with a 41-19 lead.
Slippery Rock shot just 25 percent from the field in the opening half, hitting six field goals. In contrast, the hosts were 54.5 percent from the floor in the first period, connecting on 18 field goals.
Clarion opened the second half on a 25-12 run to open up a 66-31 lead with 8:34 to play. Slippery Rock gained some momentum down the stretch, closing the game on a 19-7 run to account for the 73-50 final score.
Danielle Smith led Slippery Rock with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Christa Wodarczyk added a career-high 10 points and five rebounds as the only other player in double figures.
D'Asia Chambers capped the top scorers with nine points, while also adding four blocks and four steals.
The Rock finished the game shooting 34.6 percent from the field, connecting on 18-of-52 attempts, including 2-of-11 from the 3-point arc (18.2 percent). SRU improved significantly at the free throw line, knocking down 12-of-13 attempts (92.3 percent).
Clarion was led by Hannah Heeter with game-highs of 20 points and 15 rebounds. Emma Fickel added 14 points, while Lauren Savulchak and Nicole Miloser each chipped in 10 points.
The Golden Eagles finished the game shooting 44.6 percent from the field, connecting on 29-of-65 attempts, including 6-of-12 from long range (50 percent). The hosts were 9-of-14 at the charity stripe (64.3 percent).
Wednesday's game marked the final game of the first round of divisional action, which saw Slippery Rock compile a 1-7 record.
The Rock will open the second round of division play when they host Mercyhurst Saturday at 1 p.m. The Lakers are the lone team in the West that SRU defeated the first time around, recording a 75-67 win in Erie.
Saturday's game will also mark a special occasion, as Slippery Rock will honor the 1985-86 PSAC championship team with a special pregame reception and halftime ceremony. The 1985-86 team remains the only Rock women's basketball team to win a PSAC title in program history.
