NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - The Westminster College women's basketball team defeated Thiel, 68-56, Wednesday night in Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) action at the Buzz Ridl Gymnasium.
Senior guard Desiree Sterling (Newton Falls, Ohio/Newton Falls) registered her third double-double of the season by scoring a game-high 25 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists to lead the way for the Titans (19-5, 9-2 PAC).
Senior guard Rachel Eaton (Rimersburg, Pa./Union) compiled a season high with 12 points to go with four assists, while junior guard/forward Emilee Ackerman (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) also reached double figures with 10 points.
Amber Bodick paced Thiel (8-15, 3-6 PAC) with 23 points and eight rebounds.
The Titans led by as many as eight points (28-20) in the first half before clinging to a three-point, 30-27 lead at halftime. After going back up by nine to start the second half, Westminster's lead diminished to a one-point, 40-39 margin with 12 minutes remaining.
Westminster went on a 15-4 run to take a 14-point lead in the waning moments after the Tomcats drew within three points (51-48) with 6:12 remaining.
The Titans held a commanding 55-32 rebounding margin during the game despite committing 21 turnovers compared to Thiel's 14 giveaways.
Westminster hosts Bethany Saturday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. The Titans, seeking their second 20-win season (2005) in school history, are in a three-way tie with Thomas More and Washington & Jefferson for first place in the PAC.
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is ranked among national leaders in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Guide to America's Best Colleges, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 361 Colleges" and "Best in the Northeast" by The Princeton Review, and was recognized by the Templeton Guide as a "Character Building College."
Nearly 1,600 students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty, while choosing from 41 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa. campus.
