Highlights
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University women's basketball team snapped out of its offensive funk to record an 86-61 victory against Clarion University Wednesday at Morrow Field House.
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division victory improved The Rock's record to 7-8 on the season overall and 5-4 in league competition. The win broke a season-long four-game winning losing streak. Clarion dropped to 7-9 overall and 1-8 in the PSAC West with the loss.
Slippery Rock steadily built its advantage throughout the game, leading by three points after the first quarter, nine points at halftime and 12 points at the conclusion of the third quarter before outscoring the Golden Eagles 27-12 in the fourth quarter on the way to the 25-point win, Slippery Rock's largest victory of the season.
The Rock's 27 points in the fourth quarter is the ninth highest single-quarter output by SRU since the NCAA went from halves to quarters in 2015-16.
Wednesday's game was one of The Rock's top all-around performances of the season. In addition to setting a season-high in points scored, SRU also posted season single-game bests in 3-pointers made (eight), 3-point shooting percentage (44.4 percent) and blocked shots (eight).
Additionally, Slippery Rock shot 49.2 percent (31-for-63) from the field overall and 72.7 percent (16-for-22) at the foul line while holding advantages over Clarion in rebounds (44-37), points in the paint (34-28), second chance points (17-11) and bench scoring (28-16).
The only negative for Slippery Rock on Wednesday was an uncharacteristically high 20 turnovers. However, SRU offset its own miscues by forcing the Golden Eagles into 23 turnovers which, The Rock translated into 24 points off turnovers.
The victory was a complete team effort. Every player who dressed for the game played and 12 players scored at least one point.
Brooke Hinderliter led the way offensively with a 24-point showing after going 10-for-18 overall, 1-for-2 from deep and a perfect 3-for-3 at the foul line. Hindeliter also pulled down five rebounds and dished out one assist. She is now just 22 points away from becoming the 13th player in program history to score 1,000 career points.
Morgan Henderson produced her fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds to go with a pair of blocks. Henderson, has registered 10 or more rebounds in six of The Rock's last seven games to push her season average up to a PSAC-best 8.8 per game. Henderson made four of her seven field goal attempts including a perfect 2-of-2 effort from 3-point territory.
The Rock's other three starters,
LeeAnn Gibson,
Kasch Harris and
Ciara Patterson added seven points apiece with Patterson and Gibson both pulling in six rebounds as well. Additionally, Patterson blocked a season-high three shots.
SRU's reserves all shined as well.
Madison Johnson was The Rock's third leading scorer with eight points.
Skyla O'Connor scored six points and made two steals.
Marissa Hopson scored five points and blocked one shot.
Karington Ketterer blocked two shots and scored four points.
Olivia Fusaro had two rebounds,
Emily Fraser made one steal and delivered one assist and
Brittany Andrews had two points along with one steal.
Clarion was led by Kadijah Dickson, who scored 15 points on 7-of-19 shooting. Yndiah Bobo added 14 points as well. As a team, the Golden Eagles shot 35.2 percent (25-for-71) from the field, 37.5 percent (3-of-8) from distance and 72.7 percent (8-for-11) from the foul line.
Slippery Rock will play its final PSAC crossover game of the season 5 p.m. Friday at Mansfield University. SRU has won three straight games against Mansfield including an 84-59 victory a season ago.
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