Christendom’s men’s and women’s basketball teams sent their seniors off in style this past weekend, with both teams coming up with big wins on Senior Day. The wins left both teams with winning records going into the final games of the regular season next week, as they aim to wrap up another strong year of Christendom basketball.
The women’s basketball team, still fighting for a USCAA Nationals berth, entered the week with an 18-5 record before beginning their final four-game homestand of the reason season. They started the week off well, securing a 69-45 win over Penn State York on Monday. Catherine Thomas led the team in scoring with 27 points, while Mary Pennefather scored 25 of her own.
On Thursday, the team took on Central Penn, immediately taking control of that game with a 15-4 first quarter. The team never looked back the rest of the game, ultimately coming up with the 84-51 victory. Thomas again led the team in scoring with 27 points and 20 rebounds, while Miranda Keller scored 20 of her own in the win. Pennefather also put up a triple-double in the game, scoring 12 points and making 15 rebounds and 17 assists.
Finally, the team hosted Apprentice on Saturday for Senior Day, with senior Liliana Speier honored during the game for all her hard work and leadership during her four years of Christendom basketball. The team rallied around her and pulled off another big win, defeating Apprentice 76-53. Thomas had her best game of the week, scoring 37, while Pennefather scored 15. The women’s basketball team now stands at 21-5 on the season, with one game left against Patrick Henry on Wednesday at home.
The men’s basketball team, meanwhile, fresh off of snapping their five-game losing streak last Saturday, continued their six-game homestand to close out the regular season, taking on Penn State York on Monday. Penn outscored Christendom 34-30 in the first half, but Christendom fought hard in the second, making the game close — but ultimately not close enough. The team dropped a heartbreaker, 67-65, with John Paul and Bobby Vander Woude both scoring 17 points each in the loss.
The team quickly bounced back on Thursday against Central Penn, taking control of that game from the jump and never looking back. Christendom won 92-76, with John Paul Vander Woude dropping 22 in the win. Peter Ethridge put up a triple-double for Christendom as well, scoring 19 points and making 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
Saturday brought Senior Day for the men’s basketball team, with the college honoring departing seniors John Paul Vander Woude, Peter Ethridge, and Andrew Heisler for their incredible leadership over the past four years. The team gave them the best possible gift, securing a 71-61 win over Mid-Atlantic Christian University in front of a roaring Christendom crowd. Bobby Vander Woude led the team in scoring with 27 in the game, with his brother, John Paul, not far behind with 20 of his own. The team now stands at 11-10 on the season, with two games left.
For more information, visit christendomathletics.com.