No. 13 Fayette Falls 71-54 to No. 4 Selma in USCAA First Round

March 7, 2012

UNIONTOWN, Pa. - No. 13 Penn State Fayette used a fast start to keep pace with no. 4 Selma University, but the Roaring Lions could not keep the momentum as they fell 71-54 in the first round of the 2012 United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Basketball Championships on Wednesday night in the Community Center Main Arena.

The Roaring Lions (15-11, 14-2 PSUAC) were led by sophomore Jill Guthrie (Uniontown, Pa.) with 21 points, 17 rebounds and six steals, but it was not enough as Selma pulled away early in the second half. Freshman Caitlin Wontroba (Uniontown, Pa.) added 14 points for Fayette.

Fayette led for most of the first half, including a 13-9 lead with 14:34 left in the first half. The teams traded leads for the next 12 minutes, but Selma used a 5-2 run to take a 30-27 lead into halftime.

A quick 7-0 run to start the second half game Selma a 37-27 advantage, and despite cutting the lead to six, Fayette would not come any closer. Selma stretched their lead to as many as 20 with 3:33 remaining in the game, and finished with a 17-point win.

The Roaring Lions struggled from the field, shooting only 27 percent, including 3-for-27 from three-point range. Selma dominated the boards, outrebounding Fayette 68-42. Fayette committed only nine turnovers, a season low, but it was not enough to overcome a poor shooting night.

Fayette returns to action against the loser of Southern Virginia and Berkeley (NY) in a consolation game on Thursday, March 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Maltho Gymnasium on campus.