McKeesport, PA – The joke around the Geneva College athletic department goes something like this. “Hey Coach, isn’t it ironic that your last name is Wynn and you’re a coach?” On opening night of the 2011-12 women’s basketball season, new head coach Lori Wynn had her team live up to that last name as the Golden Tornadoes defeated Penn State Greater Allegheny 61-44 in the season opener.
Opening up the new season on the road, the Golden Tornadoes used the old formula for winning games away from home that includes solid defense and rebounding to put the first game of the season in the “W” column. Geneva out rebounded the Lions 39-38 for the game including a team best 13 boards from Kristland McCracken fresh off of the volleyball court just five days ago.
McCracken and the Geneva volleyball team lost a first round NCAA volleyball regional game last Thursday leaving the junior forward only a day or two to practice with her new team. Playing 33 minutes and picking up six points and those 13 boards, it certainly appeared as though McCracken didn’t miss a beat.
Geneva features only two seniors on the 2011-12 roster. Both of those upperclassmen showed up in a big way on Tuesday night as Beth DeLuca and Rachel Rouan led the offense with 16 points each. DeLuca knocked down three of Geneva’s four three-point field goals along the way. The Golden Tornadoes shot 40% from the field but it was the defensive effort that stood out to Geneva’s new head coach. “We were very solid on the defensive end of the floor,” said Wynn. “We have definitely made some very positive strides from our first two scrimmages. For a first game, we are very happy but also understand that we have a lot of work to do.”
Geneva held PSGA to just 14 field goals for the game and a 28% shooting mark from the field. The Golden Tornadoes took a 30-20 lead into halftime after allowing only six field goals in the first 20 minutes.
The Golden Tornadoes will return to Beaver Falls for the home opener on Thursday night when they welcome NAIA foe Ursuline College to Metheny Fieldhouse for a 7 pm tip-off.
Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences and professional studies. Founded in the tradition of the Reformed Christian faith, Geneva prepares students to serve Christ in all areas of society: work, family and the church. Geneva College’s philosophy of education is based on the Foundational Concepts of Christian Higher Education. Geneva is a founding member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).
Geneva graduates pass the test for teacher certification in elementary education (Praxis II) at over a 99% rate in the first attempt–one of the highest pass rates in Pennsylvania.
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