Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University women’s basketball team lost to Widener University, 68-63 in a nonconference game on Saturday afternoon.
With 1:52 remaining in the game, the Pride was ahead by three points (61-58) after two foul shots by forward Vanessa Hejnas (jr. Delran, NJ/Delran). Forward Lauren Gregg (sr. Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood) made a free throw (1:44) and a layup (0:59) to tie the score. Widener forward Francesca Lee (jr. Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) answered with a three-point play at the 29-second mark to lead 64-61. Forward Lauren Creel (sr. Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) converted two foul shots (0:20) and Rowan trailed by one (64-63). Guard Joanna Persiano’s (so. Absecon, NJ/Holy Spirit) two free throws with 10 seconds left gave the Pride a two-point advantage (66-63). With six seconds left, Persiano sealed the win with two more free throws.
The Pride has a 6-3 record while the Profs are 5-6 on the season. Persiano finished with a game-high 22 points. Hejnas contributed with 10 points and nine rebounds. Guard Kate Dellinger (jr. Wrightsville, PA/Eastern York) and forward Courtney Colella (fr. Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) added seven points apiece. Dellinger pulled down a game-high 13 boards and Lee had nine.
For Rowan, Creel totaled 16 points and guard Chanelle Banta (sr. Bergenfield, NJ/Bergenfield) followed with 14 which was a career-high. Gregg collected eight points and eight rebounds. Guard Alissa Lamey (sr. Northfield, NJ/Mainland Reg.) had eight points and five boards. Center Kate Matthews (fr. Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) grabbed seven rebounds.
In the second half, Widener was ahead 36-31 at 19:40. The Pride had seven straight points to lead 43-31 at 17:40. Persiano hit a three and Hejnas followed with two consecutive baskets. Creel cut the deficit to seven (43-36) at 16:16 with two free throws. Persiano’s three-pointer increased the margin to 12 (49-37) with 14:04 remaining. Lee hit a jumper for a 12-point lead (51-39) at 12:21. Creel (11:47) and Matthews (10:34) each had a basket and the Profs trailed by eight (51-43). Lamey’s layup (8:40) and Creel’s jumper (6:32) pulled Rowan within four (55-51). Colella had a layup at 5:34 (57-51). Banta (5:14) and Creel (4:04) followed with back-to-back baskets (57-55). With 2:46 on the clock, forward Erin Farrell’s (jr. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) layup pulled the Profs within one (59-58).
Rowan led by five-points (10-5) in the first period after baskets by Creel (15:22) and Banta (14:00). Guard Kaitlin Schullstrom (fr. Colts Neck, NJ/Colts Neck) nailed a three (10:56) for a seven-point advantage (17-10). Widener pulled within three-points (17-14) after a jumper by Hejnas at 8:18.
The Profs went up 24-15 on Farrell’s layup with 5:54 left. The Pride followed with a 7-0 run to trail by two (24-22). Colella had a free throw (5:38) and Persiano hit two three-pointers (5:25, 5:05). Banta’s two foul shots at 3:48 made the score 29-24. Widener ended the half with nine straight points for the lead (33-29) at the intermission. Dellinger ended the run with a three (0:18) and a layup (0:02).
Rowan returns to action in the New Year on Wednesday, January 4 against conference opponent Kean University at 6 p.m.
