Campus News
November 8th, 2023
Chaplin scores 25 as Pioneers hold off GC
Scrappy Lady Lakers erase an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit in loss
Constance Chaplin scored a game-high 25 points, including the tie-breaking free throws with 2:36 remaining, Tuesday night as the Point Park University junior varsity hung on for a 58-54 women's basketball victory over Garrett College.
GC, which trailed most of the game, erased an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit. The comeback began after Pioneer Iryana Muckle (16 points) hit a layup with less than nine minutes remaining to give the visitors a 50-39 advantage.
The Lady Lakers responded with a 12-1 run that included a pair of hoops by Manuela Perez de Castro and was capped by consecutive baskets from Aleeya Silver to create a 51-51 tie.
"It was good to see them fight like that," GC head coach JT Lewis said of his team's comeback.
The unbeaten Pioneers (3-0) regained the lead on Chaplin's free throws and made it 56-51 on Kendra Gorsline's three-point play with 1:40 remaining.
GC pulled back within 56-54 when Perez de Castro turned a baseline layup into a three-point play with 1:32 remaining. Point Park, however, wrapped up the win as Chaplin hit another pair of free throws.
Laker Gabriella Valentinetti had team highs in points (13), rebounds (eight), and assists (three). Bayleigh Lamberson (seven rebounds) added 11 points, seven of them in the opening period to keep a cold-shooting GC squad in the game.
"Bayleigh played really well in the post," said Lewis. "We've talked about working [the offense] more inside-out, and we did that tonight."
Silver and Perez de Castro added nine points each.
The Lakers, called for 26 fouls compared to 18 for Point Park, were in foul trouble almost from the start. Valentinetti fouled out with 2:36 remaining and the scored tied, while five other Lakers finished the game with four fouls each.
GC also committed 25 turnovers, giving the Lady Lakers 59 in two games.
"That's been our problem," said Lewis of his squad's penchant for turning over the ball.
Lewis remains optimistic about the season despite the 0-2 start.
"I saw a lot of good things," said Lewis. "We shared the ball better. We just need to mature as a team and learn each other's strengths and weaknesses."
GC plays a 1 p.m. game on Sunday at Beaver County Community College.
