BEAVER FALLS. Pa. – Geneva's women's basketball team gave their playoff hopes a much-needed boost with an exciting come-from-behind victory over the Westminster College Titans on Wednesday evening, 75-65. The win pushes the Golden Tornadoes' record up to 12-13 overall, 11-9 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC), while Westminster drops to 12-11 overall, 10-9 in the conference. More importantly for Geneva, the women greatly increase their chances of achieving a playoff berth, and while their playoff fate won't be known for certain until after Saturday's conference games are played, the GTs are in a good position to make the PAC playoffs after Wednesday's win.
Things started off slowly for the Golden Tornadoes offensively, but a three-point shot by freshman Aizlyn Thompson three minutes into the first quarter cut the score to 10-7 in favor of the Titans. A few minutes later sophomore Anna Ulmer hit a three-pointer to bring the GTs within one point, but that was the closest they would get to taking the lead for the rest of the half. Westminster went into the first quarter break winning 21-15.
Both teams traded baskets to open the second quarter, and a triple from junior Taylor Milroy made the score 25-22 early in the frame. However, Westminster responded by playing lockdown defense, and a three from senior Mia San Nicolas would be the only points Geneva would score for the rest of the quarter. The Titans finished the first half on an 11-2 run en route to a 36-25 lead.
The Westminster lead got as high as 15 points in the first part of the third quarter, but Geneva did not surrender. Milroy and junior Mackenzie Barricklow got buckets to cut into the deficit, and then sophomore Bailee Fletcher scored the next eight Golden Tornado points to headline a 13-2 Geneva run. The women kept it close for the remainder of the quarter, and they went into the final ten minutes trailing only by three, 50-47.
Fletcher opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer to tie the score at 50, and one minute later another made three from senior Emily Bucheit gave the GTs their first lead of the game. They would not relinquish it, outscoring the Titans 28-16 in the final frame to win the victory 75-65.
San Nicolas had another great game for the women, scoring a team-high 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting while blocking four shots. She is now tied for the school record for the most blocks in a single season, having recorded 76 over the course of this campaign. Milroy had 15 points, and Fletcher contributed 12 crucial points along with a team-leading nine rebounds.
The game was the last of Geneva's regular season, but the women hope to be playing a PAC playoff game next week Tuesday. The rest of the PAC teams will play their last games on Saturday, and Geneva's playoff positioning will be known after those results are calculated.
Through purposeful learning in a community reflecting the full spectrum of God's kingdom, a Geneva College experience inspires students to discover a faith-life calling in service to God and neighbor. Offering 195+ traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality and affordability. Geneva was founded and is governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and is a founding member of both the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the International Association for Christian Education (IACE).
