Knights can’t overcome turnovers on Senior Day, come up short versus Cheyney
By Paul Miller
Knightly News Co-Adviser
The Central Penn College Lady Knights fell to Cheyney University 63-53 in a USCAA contest from East Pennsboro High School on Senior Day Saturday afternoon.
Before the game, Central Penn College honored Sydney Bubb on Senior Day, sharing her accomplishments during her three years with the Lady Knights. Her family and teammates joined her on the floor before the contest, supporting their teammate and friend in her final home game.
As the contest began, the Knights were aggressive on both sides of the ball, causing seven turnovers in the first quarter and seeing center Allison Yoder hit three buckets from the paint to take an early lead.
With the Knights going to the second quarter with a 16-11 lead, the Knights continued playing stingy defense, led by Cayla Thomas’ three steals in the second quarter alone. Both sides struggled from the floor in the quarter, with neither team reaching 10 points.
Before the break, Thomas hit a clutch 3-pointer, which contributed to the Knights’ four-point halftime lead, 24-20.
During the second half, the Lady Knights struggled to keep pace with Cheyney University. While Bubb was able to hit two key baskets in the third frame, Cheyney University went on a 25-10 run in the third quarter, allowing them to pull away. Cheyney guard Jaden Patrick scored nine points in the third quarter alone, including grabbing three rebounds and registering two steals.
To the detriment of the Lady Knights, turnovers haunted the club throughout the game, especially in the second half. Central Penn College turned the ball over 44 times during the contest, often leading to momentum shifts for Cheyney University. The Lady Knights went to the fourth quarter trailing by 11 points, 45-34.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Central Penn College went a run early, highlighted by an eight-point quarter from Thomas, including 6-for-8 from the free throw line. But the turnovers ultimately caught up with the Knights, as Cianna Robert hit a crucial 3-point basket midway through the fourth quarter that seemed to deflate both the team and the crowd.
In the end, Cheyney University was victorious by a score of 63-53. Robert led the way for Cheyney with 19 points, along with 5 steals and 5 rebounds. Nytasia Braxton added 14 points and 6 steals.
For the Lady Knights, Thomas was the Knightly News Player of the Game with 19 points, 4 steals and 4 assists. Bubb managed a double-double in her final game, with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Yoder continued her exciting campaign, pouring in 14 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.
With the loss, the Lady Knights fell to 9-14 on the season, including 0-9 at home. Even with the loss, Central Penn women’s basketball still has an opportunity for postseason glory, as they qualified for the ESAC Conference Championship Game on Thursday versus Christendom.