GLENSIDE, Pa. – Taylor Dunn led the Knights with 20 points and nine rebounds, as the Arcadia women's basketball team defeated Widener 67-54 on Tuesday night in Alumni Gymnasium, clinching a berth in the MAC Commonwealth Championships.
With the win, the Knights improve to 11-13 on the season and 8-7 in the MAC Commonwealth. Widener falls to 18-6 on the year and 9-6 in league play. By clinching a berth, the Knights will play in the MAC Commonwealth Championship for the second time in program history and first time since 2015. Seeding is yet to be determined and the Knights can be seeded as high as third and as low as fifth, with play this weekend determining the final seeding.
Julia Makowski added 16 points, including 14 in the first half, grabbed nine rebounds and had three blocks.
Sydney Cyr also scored in double figures with 10 points, added four rebounds, five blocks and five steals.
Camille Menns and
Taylor Fritz each grabbed seven boards in the win for the Knights.
Arcadia opened the first quarter with an 11-2 run over the first 5:40. The run was bookended by a Makowski three pointer and free throw to give AU the early lead. The Knights continued their strong play, scoring seven of the final nine points of the quarter, to take an 18-6 lead into the second.
After the Knights scored four quick points to extend their lead to 16 (22-6) to begin the second quarter, Widener went on a 9-4 run to make the game an 11-point contest (26-15) with 4:58 to play in the half. Arcadia scored the final seven points of the period, a stretch which included a three from Makowski, to take a 33-15 lead into the break. Arcadia held the Pride to just 7 of 29 (.241) shooting in the first half.
Cyr opened the scoring in the third quarter with a jumper to increase the Knights' lead to 20 (35-15) with 7:58 to play. Widener answered, cutting the lead to 14 after a six-straight points made the score 35-21 with 6:12 to play in the period. The Knights responded, closing the quarter on a 12-4 run, with Fritz scoring seven of the 12 points, to take a 22-point lead (47-25) lead heading to the fourth.
Trailing 55-38 with 5:23 remaining, Widener used a 12-3 run, to cut the Knights' lead to just eight (58-50) with 2:59 remaining. That would be as close as the Pride would come, as Arcadia converted 9 of 10 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
The Knights had a decisive advantage in free throws in the contest, going 17 of 21 (.810) from the charity stripe, while Widener visited the free throw line just four times, converting one attempt in the game. Arcadia held Widener to 24 of 63 (.381) from the field in the contest, while the Knights shot 23 of 55 (.418) from the field in the game. Arcadia also had a 46-28 advantage on the glass.
Devan Rimmer scored 20 points, and had four rebounds to lead the Pride.
Arcadia will conclude the regular season on Saturday when the Knights travel to Hood for a 1 p.m. tip.
