Swarthmore Pulls Away From Brandywine

SWARTHMORE, Pa. -- A second-half opening run helped Swarthmore pull away from the Penn State Brandywine women's basketball team as the Garnet defeated the Lions 78-35 on Tuesday night.

Analise Sierra (Swoyersville, Pa./Wyoming Valley West) netted Brandywine's final three points of the opening quarter, but the Lions trailed 20-11 through 10 minutes.

The hosts expanded the margin to 34-16 at halftime and pulled away early in the second half. Swarthmore tallied 19 of the third quarter's first 21 points to seize command of the game.

Sierra paced the Lions with 12 points and grabbed four rebounds, while Tejanae Ballin (Cambridge, Md./Cambridge-South Dorchester) collected seven points, a team-best eight rebounds and two steals. Caroline Messick (Bala Cynwyd, Pa./Merion Mercy) notched five blocked shots and Cassidy Tolbert (Austell, Ga./Pebblebrook) recorded six boards.

Brandywine hosts Widener Saturday at 3:00 PM.