BRYN MAWR, PA - The Bryn Mawr basketball team fought through a physical game to earn a 40-35 win over Penn State Berks on Monday evening, improving to 3-0 on the season. It was a true test of resilience, as both teams struggled to score, but Bryn Mawr's defense and clutch plays in the final minutes were the difference.
Sophomore center
Daphne Bracker-Sturm led the Owls with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Highlights:
- Bryn Mawr's defense set the tone early, stifling PSU Berks' offense and forcing them into tough shots. Sophomore Bracker-Sturm tallied six of the Owls' 10 first quarter points. At the end of the first, Bryn Mawr led 10-3, with defense clearly taking center stage.
- Scoring remained difficult in the second quarter. Bryn Mawr extended its lead slightly, despite a strong offensive quarter by Penn State Berks. First-year Allison Stoudt tallied two buckets for Bryn Mawr. At halftime, the Owls led 19-15.
- The Owls continued to struggle offensively in the third quarter, but they found ways to keep Berks from gaining momentum. The Owls trailed 27-25, with 50 seconds left in the quarter. A steal by sophomore Hannah Mack prompted a Bryn Mawr fastbreak and senior Sena Kaper-Dale hit an elbow jumper to tie the game, 27-27. The teams traded baskets throughout the period, and PSU Berks took a slim 29-27 advantage into the final quarter.
- The final quarter was tense, with PSU Berks cutting the lead to just 3 points with under two minutes to go. Bryn Mawr's defense held firm in the final moments, forcing missed shots and securing key rebounds. Senior captain Jessica Smith and Bracker-Sturm made crucial free throws in the closing minutes to keep Berks from completing the comeback. Bryn Mawr won 40-35.
The Owls will look to carry the momentum from this hard-earned win into their next game against Rosemont at home on Wednesday at 7:00 PM EST. Tune in to the game live on gobrynmawr.com and follow @bmcathletics to stay up to date with your favorite Bryn Mawr teams. Â
