ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - The Slippery Rock University women's basketball team overcame a slow start to earn its first win of the 2019-20 season Saturday night with a 76-75 victory on the road at Elizabeth City State University on day two of the PSAC-CIAA Challenge.
 
Slippery Rock exits the opening weekend of the year with a 1-1 overall record. Elizabeth City State falls to 0-2 after losses at the PSAC-CIAA Challenge to The Rock and Gannon University.
 
Daeja Quick led four Rock players in double figures with a team-high 19 points. Quick, who also dished out five assists, grabbed three rebounds and made one steal, went 7-for-13 from the field including a 2-for-3 showing from 3-point range.
 
Brooke Hinderliter went for 16 points and six rebounds while Madison Johnson added 14 points and seven rebounds.
 
The Rock's post duo of Anyah Curd and Karington Ketterer played all but six minutes Saturday. Just a freshman, Curd provided The Rock with 11 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and one steal. In addition to her work on the glass, Curd also made a pair of 3-pointers and hit 3-of-4 free throws late in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Ketterer chipped in seven points and four rebounds as well.
 
Olivia Fusaro and Kasch Harris came off the bench to connect on a combined three 3-pointers, two of which were hit in the final three minutes of regulation.
 
Slippery Rock scored just three points in the first quarter, but managed to keep its deficit to just eight points at 11-3 thanks to a stout defensive effort of its own over the opening 10 minutes.
 
The Rock's offense came alive in the second quarter as SRU outscored the host Vikings 24-14 in the second 10 minutes of competition to take a 28-25 lead into the halftime break. Hinderliter and Johnson combined to score 17 of Slippery Rock's points over the opening two quarters.
 
SRU and Elizabeth City State went on to trade baskets for the duration of the third quarter, resulting in a 51-49 lead for The Rock heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Slippery Rock stretched its lead to as many as five points early in the fourth, but fouls started to take its toll on SRU as Hinderliter, Johnson and Quick all fouled out over the final 10 minutes of the game as the Vikings pulled ahead 72-70 with under two minutes to play in regulation.
 
Despite its three leading scorers sidelined for the rest of the game, Slippery Rock persevered and ultimately prevailed thanks in no small part to a corner 3-pointer by Harris with 1:26 to play which gave The Rock a 73-72 advantage followed by Curd connecting on three of her four foul shots in the game's waning moments to preserve the one-point, 76-75, victory.
 
Slippery Rock ended the night shooting 43.9 percent (25-for-57) from the field overall. The Rock forced the Vikings into 21 turnovers which they turned into 13 points. SRU held advantages over Elizabeth City State in blocks (2-1), steals (5-4) and 3-pointers made (7-4).
 
Elizabeth City State shot 41.5 percent (22-for-53) from the field overall and held a 39-34 edge over The Rock in rebounds. Asia Deal scored 20 points while Devona Stell had a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds in the loss ECSU.
 
Slippery Rock continues its tour through the CIAA when it travels to Bowie State University 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15.
 


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