Traditional Box ScoreKUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's basketball team erased an 18-point second half deficit to tie the game in the contest's final moments, but couldn't quite finish off the comeback in a 64-62 loss at Kutztown University on Saturday afternoon.
Slippery Rock (5-5, 1-5 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division) trailed 51-33 with 14:24 to play in the second half before going on a 27-9 run over the next 13:22 to tie the game at 60-60 with 1:02 left in regulation.
Kutztown (4-5, 3-4 PSAC-East) responded by scoring the game's next three points, all from the free throw line, to push the Golden Bears' lead out to 63-60 before senior forward
D'Asia Chambers managed to keep The Rock alive by converting a layup with 18 seconds showing on the clock to pull SRU to within one point.
Slippery Rock proceeded to foul Kutztown on the ensuing possession to send KU's Natalya Lee to the foul line for two free throws which she missed, giving Slippery Rock the ball with eight seconds left to play.
However, following a Slippery Rock timeout, SRU was unable to convert on its final possession and was forced to foul KU once again with four seconds to play. Kutztown's Kelsey Watson made one of two free throws and Slippery Rock couldn't get off a final shot as Kutztown narrowly escaped with the 64-62 victory.
Chambers and junior guard
Taylor Siggers accounted for 69.4 percent of The Rock's offense Saturday by scoring 26 and 17 points, respectively. Siggers' point total was her second highest of the season while the 20-point showing was Chambers' third such of the year. Chambers, who went 10-for-18 from the field overall, also finished with team-highs of nine rebounds and three steals. 19 of her points came in the second half.
Junior guard
Erica Aiello and senior forward
Danielle Garroutte chipped in eight and six points also with Aiello adding five assists. Junior forward
Megan Hardiman came off the bench to pull down a season-high seven rebounds.
After a pair of uncharacteristic defensive performances, Slippery Rock returned to form against Kutztown by forcing 19 turnovers and holding the Golden Bears to a 37.0 field goal percentage overall, including a 28 percent performance in the final 20 minutes. SRU has now held opponents to 65 points or less in six of 10 games this season.
For the game, Slippery Rock held edges over Kutztown in points in the paint (34-20), points off turnovers (17-15) and fast break points (2-0).
Advia Campbell scored 18 points and Watson had 13 rebounds to pace Kutztown in the win.
Slippery Rock continues its three-game road swing on Jan. 3 at Mansfield. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.
