EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – Cheyney University women's basketball fell behind early and fought valiantly, but were not able to make up a double-digit deficit and ultimately dropped a 79-70 decision at East Stroudsburg University Saturday afternoon in PSAC East action inside Koehler Arena.

Marlon Herring led the Wolves (5-15, 3-11 PSAC E) with 15 points and added seven rebounds Yasmine Dorrielan fell a rebound short of her second straight double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds and Gianni Hill had a strong all-around game with 12 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Imani Brown paced the Warriors (12-6, 10-4 PSAC E) with a game high 31 points and 10 rebounds and Noelle Powell came off the bench to score 12 of her 15 points in the first half as East Stroudsburg built a 41-32 lead at half.

Herring, Khadija Pearson and Hill scored to give Cheyney a quick 6-3 lead to start the game, but the Warriors responded with an 11-0 run keyed by two three-pointers from Powell, to take a 14-6 lead that they would never relinquish.

Hill connected from downtown and Briana Hedgepeth made a layup to bring Cheyney within three 14-11, then Brown closed the scoring the give the Warriors a 16-11 lead after ten minutes.

ESU opened the second period with an 11-2 run to push the lead up to 27-13, Cheyney trailed 35-21, when it went on an 11-4 run to cut the deficit down to seven 39-32.

Dorrielan started the comeback with a layup, then Hill made a three-pointer, Powell again answered with a triple, but Hedgepeth made four free-throws and Drazana Vulic made a jumper, a Warriors basket made it a 41-32 game at the half.

Cheyney was able to pull with six three times in the third, but could not get any closer and the Warriors led by 11, 62-51 after three and the Wolves could not get closer than nine in the fourth.

Hedgepeth finished with nine points and five rebounds, Pearson added seven points, three assists and three boards, Ja'la Walker added seven points and seven rebounds and Vulic scored six points with two assists.

Cheyney is off on Wednesday and returns to action on Saturday February 3 against Millersville in the first of seven home games in the month of February for the Wolves, who were forced to play all eastern conference games on the road in January.

The Wolves home stand starts against Millersville on Saturday, with the tip off first at 1:00 pm, then on Wednesday Feb.. 7 Bloomsburg will be the opponent with the women scheduled to tip at 5:30 pm.

Saturday Feb 10 Cheyney will visit West Chester for its final road contest of the season, then East Stroudsburg comes to Cope Hall on Monday Feb 12, women at 5:30, Shippensburg Feb 14, women at 5:30, Kutztown on Sat Feb 17 tipoff at 1.

Lock Haven will be the opponent on Wednesday Feb 21 and Senior Day will be on Sat. Feb 24 vs Mansfield with the women scheduled to tip at 1:00 pm.

Cheyney University February Basketball Schedule

Sat. 2/3 Millersville at Cheyney 1/3
Wed. 2/7 Bloomsburg at Cheyney 5:30 / 7:30 
Sat. 2/10 Cheyney at West Chester 1/3
Mon. 2/12 East Stroudsburg at Cheyney 5:30 / 7:30
Wed. 2/14 Shippensburg at Cheyney 5:30 / 7:30
Sat. 2/17 Kutztown at Cheyney 1/3
Wed. 2/21 Lock Haven at Cheyney 5:30 / 7:30
Sat. 2/24 Mansfield at Cheyney 1/3 Senior Day