Campus News
November 7th, 2023
Harcum's press helps Bears rout GC women
Sixth-ranked Bears force 34 turnovers in Garrett's opening contest
Harcum College used Friday's game against Garrett College in the Jim Walton Classic to demonstrate why the Bears are ranked sixth in the nation in NJCAA Division II women's basketball.
The Bears (3-0) used a 14-0, first-quarter run to take the lead for good and then let their suffocating, full-court defense do the rest. Harcum held the Lakers to 18 first-half points while rolling to a 75-37 victory to improve to 3-0.
"They're a very talented team," GC head coach JT Lewis said of Harcum. "They did a good job of pressuring the ball and subbing in fresh bodies."
Aalyssa Rogers scored 14 points and T'Nyah Riggins added 10 points as 12 of the 13 Bears cracked the scoring column. Gabriella Valentinetti led GC with 11 points, followed by Gianna Michaux (eight points) and Aleeya Silver (seven points, team-high six rebounds).
"Gabby's been great – she's a real gym rat," said Lewis of Valentinetti. "We've just got to get her in positions to score."
GC (0-1) actually built a 7-4 lead, which included Valentinetti converting a transition basket into a three-point. Harcum, however, answered with its 14-0 run, including a Rogers 3-pointer that put the Bears ahead to stay.
Danayjah Moore capped Harcum's impressive opening quarter by draining a 3-pointer from deep in the right corner at the buzzer to stretch the Bears' lead to 23-9.
Harcum led 41-18 at the half and 55-28 after three quarters.
"Their speed and pressure really gave us problems," said Lewis. "We're still getting used to the speed of the college game. We're young and trying to figure out who's going to be our main ball handler."
The Bears overwhelmed host Potomac State College of West Virginia University, 95-49, in their Jim Walton Classic opener.
