PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia University women's basketball team overcame a six point deficit with 4:22 left in regulation to defeat visiting East Stroudsburg, 56-53, in overtime in a non-conference contest on Saturday afternoon in the Gallagher Center.

Trailing 50-44, sophomore guard Najah Jacobs (Philadelphia, Pa./Central) took over as she scored five of her 11 points in a 2:33 span to pull the Rams within 50-49. Freshman forward Alex Heck (Willow Grove, Pa./Archbishop Wood) tied the game with a free throw at the 1:05 mark, which led to the eventual overtime period. Heck had two points, three rebounds, and a career-high five steals.

In the overtime, senior forward Kristen Blye (Chester Spring, Pa./Downingtown East) went 1-of-2 at the free throw line with 1:06 left to give Philadelphia a 54-53 advantage.

The lead grew to three (56-53) with two seconds on the clock at sophomore guard  Monica Schacker (Doylestown, Pa./Germantown Academy) drained two free throws.

East Stroudsburg's (2-5) final effort, a three-point attempt by Steph Cabald, fell short at the buzzer to give Philadelphia the victory.

Junior guard Samantha Morris (Wenonah, N.J./Deptford) knocked down four three-pointers in the second half on her way to a game-high 15 points. Forward Tori Arnao (Newtown, Pa./Archbishop Wood) recorded fifth double-double of the year as she has 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Fayola Moise paced the Warriors with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Andrea Veres came off-the-bench to score nine points.

East Stroudsburg shot 31.0 percent (22-of-71) from the field and 55.6 percent (5-of-9) at the free throw line. Philadelphia connected on 25.0 percent (16-of-64) of its shots and 56.7 percent (17-of-30) of its free throws.

The Warriors outrebounded the Rams, 53-51. The Rams forced 20 turnovers while committing only 14.

Philadelphia is now off for two weeks when it welcomes Bloomsburg to the Gallagher Center for a non-conference tilt on Sunday, Dec. 30 at 1 p.m.