The Lady Rams’ basketball team gained a deal of accomplishments last week. Junior Brittany Sicinski was named PSAC Eastern Division player of the week for her performance in a pair of Golden Rams’ victories over Concordia College and University of the Sciences. This honor is the first for Sicinski in her three-years at West Chester, while also being the first player on the women’s squad to achieve the award this season.
Sickinski opened her 2014-2015 campaign with 21 points and six assists in an impressive 102-55 victory over Concordia College two Fridays ago.
On the second day of the tournament, Sicinski went to tie a career high with 27 points as well as nine rebounds and seven assists as the Golden Rams held onto a 77-72 victory over University of the Sciences.
Overall, Sicinski posted 48 points in the opening weekend. In addition, she averaged six rebounds and six assists to go along
Sicinski received a preseason-all conference nod after being named to the All-PSAC East first team last season, averaging 14.8 points per game. The all-star also dished out 102 assistslast year, good enough for fifth in the conference. With a great start to the season already, Sicinski is sure to topple even more ground and leave an impressionable mark for the Lady Rams.
On Wednesday, the squad began their conference play against PSAC rival Millersville University home in Hollinger Field House, dominating 89-69. Porscha Speller shined in her collegiate debut, contributing 17 points, four assists, and three steals for the Golden Rams off the bench.
The victory meant exceptionally more to the Lady Rams this season, marking the first time since 1992 that West Chester defeated Millersville by a 20-point margin or better. However, the contest was a table of two halves as there were several lead changes between the two squads in the opening 20 minutes. At the 15 minute mark, the Golden Rams went on a 6-0 run that was ignited by their defensive pressure.
Millersville trailed by six at the half. However after halftime and a chance to regain confidence, the Golden Rams grabbed all the momentum moving forward and closing the game.
The press by the Lady Rams forced the Marauders into 26 turnovers. Sharpshooter, Dallas Ely capitalized on her opportunities with a team leading 21 points and three rebounds. From behind the arc, West Chester shot 41.7 percent, compared to Millersville’s 18.2 percent.
Sicinski continued her sharp play by chipping in 12 points while dishing out four assists. Crashing the glass were Serifat Junaid and Mariah Powell who each added 11 points and six boards.
Next, the Golden Rams took on Kutztown Univeristy at home on Saturday afternoon.
Junior Chikisha Steele-Hook posted her best game of her career with 18 points and 17 rebounds, her first double-double of the season.
Anna Kuntz and Serifat Junaid aided Steele-Hooke each adding an impressive game of their own with 10 points and eight rebounds a piece. It is certainly nice to see the bigs of West Chester playing at such a high level since the team entered the season looking to their guards as their top scorers. With the productive minutes the Rams are getting from players like Steele-Hook, Junaid, and Kuntz, a new element is added to an already strong West Chester squad.
Next up, the Lady Rams will play a non-conference matchup against Goldey-Beacom college on Tuesday night in Hollinger Field House. After that, the team will begin a four-game road trip, starting with Lock Haven University.
Gianna Seeney is a third-year student majoring in communications with a minor in journalism. She can be reached at GS789405@wcupa.edu