MEDIA, PA. – Junior Danita Whitaker had 15 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Apprentice School on Friday night as they held off a feisty Penn State Brandywine 55-49 in the opening round of the Penn State Brandywine Holiday Classic.

The Lady Builders had a 28-18 lead at halftime and kept the Lions at arms length in the second half to raise their record to 4-2 on the season. In the final 20 minutes, the Apprentice School got out to a 32-22 lead on an April McCoy jumper with 18:33 left and appeared on cruise control.  The Lions attacked and went on a 16-2 run over the next 7:03 to take a 38-34 lead on a Jessica Gledhill jumper with 11:30 left.

Each team then managed to tie the game and take a four-point lead before Brandywine's Lauren Munro tied it for the final time on a jumper with 6:50 left at 44-all.  From there, the Lady Builders made enough free throws to keep the hosts at bay for the win.

McCoy was next in line scoring for the Lady Builders with 14 points and eight rebounds while Shanae Hilliard followed with eight points for Apprentice School.

The Lady Builders close out the tournament on Saturday facing Central Penn College at 1 pm.