Women’s Basketball secures win over Kuyper in nonconference action

PITTSBURGH --- Carlow University women's basketball defeated Kuyper (Mich.) College, 71-61, at Donahue Pavilion Monday night.

Carlow improved to 9-6 overall while the Cougars are now 11-7.

Emiley Hillgartner led Carlow with 19 points, four steals and two assists. Elena Butler went 7 for 10 from the foul line to add 14 points off the bench. She dished out three assists and had two steals. Sydney Carr recorded a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, four steals and block, and Jada Bass added 10 points and nine boards. Brianna Evans contributed two blocks on the night.

The Celtics got a slow start against the Cougars, trailing 7-2 at the start of the game. Each time the Celtics tied the score with a free throw or basket, Kuyper answered. A last-second foul allowed the Cougars to take a 19-17 advantage into the second quarter.

Kuyper extended its lead to six before an Emari Stinnette jumper and a three-pointer from Emma Aubrey cut that down to one. Carlow trailed through much of the quarter before a trey from Butler gave the Celtics a one-point lead. Butler added a layup in the next possession, and a bucket off a steal allowed Carlow to lead by five with three minutes remaining in the half. The Celtics led, 36-31, at halftime.

Carlow outscored the Cougars 8-4 to lead, 44-36, midway through the third quarter. A free throw with 3:30 left on the clock cut Carlow's advantage to three, but the Celtics stayed ahead, leading 51-46 heading into the fourth.

Carlow went on a 12-5 run at the beginning of the fourth to eventually extend its lead to 16 points, outscoring the Cougars, 20-15, in the final quarter to secure the win.

The Celtics shot 71.4 percent (20 for 28) from the foul line on the night.

Kuyper outrebounded Carlow 49-47 and shot better than the Celtics from the field; however, Carlow scored 22 points off 21 Kuyper turnovers. The Cougars outscored Carlow 34-24 in paint and 18-9 off the bench.

Aniya Fisher led all scorers with a double-double 21 points and 12 boards while two other Cougars recorded double figures.

Carlow travels to Penn State Behrend for a 7 p.m. AMCC game Jan. 24.