DOYLESTOWN (Pa.)--- The Delaware Valley women's basketball team trailed by nine at halftime before taking an early lead in the fourth quarter, but the Aggies mustered up just six points over the final ten minutes in a home loss to Arcadia, 61-52.
The Aggies (9-11, 5-6) got out to an early 6-2 lead thanks by a pair of buckets from Haley Kennan and one from Sophie Chevres. Maisie Neuber went on a mini 5-0 run by herself in the middle stages of the first to grow the Aggie lead to 11-4. Arcadia (14-7, 7-5) responded with a 14-2 run to close out the quarter and take a five point lead into the second.
After shooting 54% in the first, the Knights kept it up in the second, shooting 53% from the field including 5-of-8 from long range. They led by as many as 11 in the quarter as they scored 23 points in the frame. DelVal did their part to stay within reach, as the Aggies themselves scored 19 points in the quarter. While they struggled at just 33% from the field, they knocked down all seven of their free throw attempts in the quarter and all 11 in the first half to trail 41-32 at the break.
Neither team scored for nearly three minutes in the third until Aubrey Ennis connected from long range. A pair of Knights baskets grew their lead to 45-35 midway through the quarter. The Aggies allowed just two points over the final five minutes in the third, holding Arcadia to just six in the frame. While DelVal started cold in the quarter, they scored 11 points over the final 2:35, including a buzzer-beater from just inside of half court from Maisie Neuber to pull the Aggies to within one at 47-46 heading into the fourth.
On the first possession of the fourth, Haley Keenan knocked down a jumper to give the Aggies their first lead since they led 13-11 in the first. Taylor Richardson followed with a layup a minute later to extend the advantage to 50-47 with 8:57 left. Both teams would not score a point for over four minutes until Arcadia's Hanna Rhoades connected on a layup to pull the Knights to within one. On the next Knights' possession, Rhoades hit a three to give Arcadia the lead 52-50. The visitors would hold onto the lead for good, as they would go on a 12-0 run to lead 59-50 before winning 61-52.
Haley Keenan scored a team-high 16 points for the Aggies with four rebounds and three steals. Maisie Neuber added a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds to go along with four assists. Taylor Richardson pulled down ten boards for DelVal with three assists.
The Aggies sit in fifth place in the MAC Freedom standings, a half game ahead of King's. DelVal will be back in action Saturday, February 4th at Lycoming for a 1 p.m. start.
