The Quad

Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Sports

With two wins this past week, West Chester has now clinched at least the number two seed in the PSAC Post-Season Tournament, and will host a playoff game on Tuesday Mar. 4. This is the Lady Rams' second consecutive appearance in the playoffs. Last year, in the first round, West Chester lost to the Millersville University Marauders at home to end their season.

The likely matchup will be against the Cheyney University Lady Wolves, who will be making their first post-season trip since the 1989-1990 season. If things fall a certain way, West Chester could host East Stroudsburg in the first round.

On Wednesday Feb. 20, the West Chester University Golden Rams (17-8, 8-2 PSAC East) avenged an early season loss to the Cheyney University Lady Wolves by winning easily, 84-52, at Hollinger Field House. The Lady Rams are now on a five game winning streak, and winners of eight of their last nine games.

After having a 33-game, 16-year winning streak snapped against the Lady Wolves on Jan. 23 at Cope Hall, things are back to normal in the West Chester-Cheyney women's basketball rivalry.

"I feel like we're focused," Head Coach Deirdre Kane said of the victory over Cheyney.

"They are definitely an improved team but we knew we could beat them," senior Captain Catherine Andrews said after the win. "Watching tape, it really motivated us to play well today. We knew we beat ourselves last time."

"They responded like the first class, traditional winning program they are," Cheyney Head Coach Darryl Brown said of West Chester's ability to come out and beat his Lady Wolves. "They got a lot of pride. They lost a game, came back fighting."

"We just knew how big a rivalry this was," freshman point guard Megan Stewart added. "After we lost the first game, it was a big disappointment so we wanted to get redemption. To see your teammates hyped, it gets you hyped."

West Chester only trailed by as many as two in the game, and following a three-pointer by Andrews at the 14-minute mark, the Lady Rams took the lead for good in a game that was never close.

"We are ready for every game; we don't ever look past anybody," Andrews said. "We really wanted to not only win today but make a statement."

The Lady Rams finished the first half on a 31-12 run to go into the locker room with a comfortable 37-20 lead. Andrews led all scorers with 14 points at the half, while Janelle Garber recorded 11 rebounds during the half to lead all players.

Continued...

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