Beaver Falls, Pa. – The Geneva College Golden Tornadoes hosted the Westminster College Titans in Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) women’s basketball contest on Wednesday, February 15. Geneva’s third quarter slump was too much for its fourth quarter rally as Westminster claimed the win in Metheny; 73-61. The loss moves Geneva’s overall record to 4-20, 1-16 in the PAC.

A downtown showdown started the scoring on the hardwood between the all-time rivals. Westminster’s Paige Quinn tallied the night’s first points with a three ball, quickly answered by Marissa Heaney (New Castle PA/Union). Rachel Larson (Elverson, PA/Twin Valley) sunk a hook shot for the early lead 5-3. Jodie Carlson (Warsaw, IN/Warsaw) kept the lead in Geneva’s hands with her own good three-pointer; 10-8 with 4:18 left in the first quarter. The Golden Tornadoes closed the first quarter with the advantage; 15-11.

Hot handed Heaney sunk another three raising the score to 18-11 at 8:17 in the second quarter. The Titans didn’t let Heaney have all the fun, tallying two of their own buckets from beyond the circle. Westminster equalized the game with a good free throw and took the lead with a layup at 4:46, 21-18. Noelle Henry (Aliquippa, PA/Hopewell) joined the long game action posting a three to beat the halftime buzzer slicing the Tians lead to two points. Westminster lead at the half 27-25. ­­­­

The Titans built their lead with three consecutive three-pointers in the third quarter moving the scoreboard to 42-27 at 4:24. Westminster held Geneva to single figure points with nine in the third while adding 24 points to their total.

Down 51-34 entering the fourth, Carlson sparked the Golden Tornado offense with another three-point bucket in the opening seconds. With 6:06 remaining, Geneva went on a five-point run closing the gap to 61-53. The Golden Tornadoes outscored the Titans in the fourth 73-61 but the late comeback wasn’t enough.

Four Golden Tornadoes recorded double figures in the effort. Callie Ford (New Middletown, OH/Springfield Local) scored 15 points supported by Carlson with 13, Miranda Heaney with 11 along with Henry with 11. Henry pulled down seven rebounds helped by Carlson with six rebounds.

Geneva will close the 2016-17 season at home during White Out Night hosting the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets on Saturday, February 18 at 5:30 p.m. Following the game, the program will honor its’ three seniors; Rachel Larson, Miranda Heaney and Marissa Heaney.