MEDIA, Pa. -- Penn College women's basketball cruised to a 57-37 United East Conference victory against Penn State Brandywine on Saturday afternoon to clinch a spot in the postseason. The Wildcats improved to 8-3 UEC, 16-6 overall. The Lions dropped to 4-5 UEC, 4-16 overall.

How it happened: Penn College jumped out to a 15-11 lead after the first quarter and the defense suffocated the Lions to just three points in the second quarter while the offense poured in 16 to lead 31-14 at the half. 

Hailey Theuret sparked the second quarter flurry with the second-quarter opening bucket. Kayla Herzer dropped a layup and RaeAnna Andreas nailed a three to double up the Lions, 22-11 with 6:09 remaining in the second frame. Mia Patterson closed out the half with a layup to lead 31-14.

PCT controlled the second half pace, outscoring the Lions 31-12 in the third quarter and 13-11 in the fourth for the victory. 

Inside the box: Herzer scored her second consecutive double-double, leading the team with 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Valentine tacked on 11 points and Parlante was one point shy of a double-double after securing a team-high 12 boards. PCT won the rebounding battle, 52-33, and scored 20 points off Brandywine's 21 turnovers.

Up next: Penn College returns to Bardo Gym to take on Valley Forge on Wednesday at 7 p.m.