CLARION, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's basketball team never trailed as it remained undefeated for the week with a 77-68 win Saturday at Clarion.
 
After a 3-0 week, SRU improves its record to 12-8 overall and an even 7-7 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division while Clarion moves to 3-15 overall and 3-10 in the division.
 
A made 3-pointer by Jordan Kauffman in the opening minutes of the contest gave Slippery Rock a lead it would never relinquish.
 
While the Golden Eagles kept its deficit to under double-digits for most of the opening first quarter, SRU went on to score a season-best 45 first half points to take a 13-point lead (45-32) into the break.
 
Any thoughts of a Golden Eagle comeback out of halftime were put to rest as The Rock proceeded to stretch their lead to as many as 20 points at the conclusion of the third quarter.
 
While Clarion opened the final quarter on a 10-0 run and ultimately out-scored Slippery Rock 23-12 throughout the end of regulation, it never truly threatened SRU's lead as The Rock cruised to a 77-68 victory.
 
Deleah Gibson once again paced The Rock with a 20-point, seven-rebound, six-assist and three-steal effort. Isabellah Middleton chipped in 16 points and eight rebounds while making four steals and one block. The duo also combined to lead SRU from the foul line going 9-of-11.
 
Kenendy Middleton provided Slippery Rock with 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block while Alyssa Gillin came off the bench to have a career game as she tallied 11 points, four rebounds one assist and one block while going 3-of-4 from long range.
 
Rounding out The Rock's leaders was Kauffman (9 points, 1 rebound) who was 3-4 from 3-point range, Emily Venick (4 points, 1 assist), Kaylin Venick (3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block) and Kelley McKnight (2 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound).
 
As a team, Slippery Rock was an impressive 14-of-17 from the foul line while shooting 38.5 percent (25-of-65) from the floor overall and 39.4 percent (13-of-33) from long range.
 
SRU tied its season-low with 11 turnovers, including making just three over the first half, while forcing Clarion into 13 miscues. SRU scored 24 points off Clarion turnovers. The Rock also set team season-highs in made 3-pointers (13) and assists (17).
 
The Golden Eagles were paced by Sierra Bermudez with 18 points, three assists and two rebounds. For the game, Clarion shot 47.9 percent (23-of-48) from the field, 28.6 percent (6-of-21) from 3-point range and 88.9 percent (16-of-18) from the charity stripe.
 
Slippery Rock enters the second half of its PSAC West schedule when it travels to No. 8 Gannon University 5:30 p.m. Feb. 1. Earlier this season, the Golden Knights defeated The Rock 75-59 at Morrow Field House.
 





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