MEDIA, Pa.- The Keystone College women's basketball team dropped a 63-44 decision to Penn State Brandywine on Wednesday evening at Brandywine Commons Gym.
Keystone kept the game within reach early, trailing just 18-13 after one quarter. Krista Cortazar (Throop, Pa./Mid Valley) provided an early spark for the Giants, scoring on a pair of layups and later knocking down a three-pointer late in the opening period. Penn State Brandywine gradually created separation in the second quarter, outscoring Keystone 17-12 to take a 35-25 lead into halftime.
The Nittany Lions continued to build their advantage in the third quarter behind strong interior play from Jazmyn Kemp, who finished with a game-high 15 points and 16 rebounds.
Keystone cut the margin to seven midway through the quarter following a three-pointer from Hailee Hackett (Carmicahel, Calif./Rio Americano) and a layup by Cortazar, but Brandywine answered with a 12-3 run to regain control and take a 50-35 lead into the final period.
Penn State Brandywine maintained steady pressure in the fourth quarter, holding Keystone to nine points while pushing the lead to as many as 20. The Giants struggled to find a consistent offensive rhythm down the stretch, shooting just 2-for-26 from the field in the final quarter.
Cortazar led Keystone with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including three three-pointers. Phaneirra Barnett (Baltimore, Md./Edgewood) added 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds, while Hackett finished with six points and five rebounds.
Tayana Bibbins (Lincoln, Del./Sussex Technical) chipped in seven rebounds off the bench, and Angelise Sanchez (Atlanta, Ga./Ocoee) contributed four points.
Keystone shot 23.7 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from three-point range, while Penn State Brandywine finished at 31.5 percent shooting. The Nittany Lions also held a 60-47 edge on the glass.
In addition to Kemp's double-double, Trinell Watson scored 11 points, Taylor Mims added 10, and Ashley Robinson finished with nine points and 12 rebounds.
Keystone (3-16, 2-6 United East) will take on Notre Dame of Maryland University at home this Saturday.
