MADISON, N.J. – The Drew University women's basketball team raced out to an 18-point lead early in the second half and the Rangers held off a late rally to earn a 61-55 Landmark Conference victory over Wilkes University Wednesday evening in Baldwin Gym.
The Rangers (13-7, 8-7 LC) have now clinched a spot in the Landmark Conference Championship tournament for the third year in a row.
Senior forward
Gianna Pica recorded 12 points, six rebounds, four steals, and three assists for Drew while senior guard
Maddie Beyer also netted 12 points. Junior guard
Olivia Aliotta contributed nine points while classmate
Miabella Diaz dropped in seven points. Junior guard
Amy Rachilla registered six points and five steals, and freshman forward
Molly Chapman grabbed seven rebounds.
Maliyah Warren posted 15 points, seven rebounds, and five blocked shots to lead Wilkes (5-17, 2-13 LC) while Anya Richet notched 10 points and 11 rebounds.
There were six lead changes in a tight first half, but Chapman put the Rangers in front to stay when she knocked down a 3-pointer with 28 seconds on the clock to give Drew a 15-13 lead after 10 minutes of play.
The Rangers erupted to outscore the Colonels 19-7 in the second quarter, and an 11-0 run put the hosts on top 29-16 with 4:51 remaining in the half. Drew led 34-20 at the intermission.
The Blue and Green pushed their advantage to 43-25 with 7:04 remaining in the third quarter, but Wilkes responded with a 9-0 run to cut the deficit in half with 2:47 showing. The Colonels cut the deficit to seven and the Rangers took a 47-38 advantage into the final period.
Drew still held a double-digit lead after Diaz dropped in a layup with 2:19 on the clock that pushed the lead to 57-46. However, that's when the Colonels made a late run, cutting the gap to 60-55 with 27 seconds left. But the Rangers responded with a big defensive stand, forcing Wilkes into a pair of missed layups before Chapman hauled in a rebound and was fouled with nine ticks showing. She went on to go 1-for-2 at the foul line to set the final score.
