The Shippensburg University women’s basketball team could not erase a halftime deficit on Saturday as it dropped a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup to the Fighting Scots of Edinboro, 76-67, in league action at Heiges Field House.
Shippensburg (1-10, 0-5 PSAC) opened the second half with a 5-0 run to get within three points of Edinboro (6-4, 4-1), 39-36, at the 7:54 mark of the third quarter. The Fighting Scots countered with a three-pointer on the next possession that kickstarted a 14-4 run, stretching the visitors’ lead to 13 points.
SU had opened the game strong, leading 11-4 with 2:50 left in the first quarter, but Edinboro closed the frame on an 8-0 run to lead 12-11 after the opening 10 minutes.
The Fighting Scots led by as many as 18 points with nine minutes to go, but the Raiders countered with pressure and a resurgent defensive effort to get as close as seven points, 67-60, with 2:24 left.
Graduate Treasure George (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) led the Raiders with 17 points, including a 7-of-8 effort at the free-throw line. George reached double figures for the seventh time this season. She also distributed a season-high seven assists, three more than any Raider had recorded this season, and one short of her career high.
Freshman Bella Chimienti (York, Pa./Central York) scored a career-high 15 points, including a pair of three-pointers, and posted double figures for the fourth time this season. Chimienti added three rebounds and a career-high two blocks.
Junior Taja Colbert (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) was efficient from the field and scored 14 points despite being limited in the second half due to foul trouble. Colbert was 4-of-6 from the field and 6-of-7 at the free-throw line to achieve her sixth double-digit game of the season. She also matched her career high with five assists and committed just one turnover.
Junior Abbie Miller (Camp Hill, Pa./Cumberland Valley) emerged with seven points and eight rebounds despite also having to navigate through foul trouble. Miller was 3-of-6 from the field, including a three-pointer.
Senior Carolina Rodriguez Sanchez (Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain/San Jose de Cluny Vigo (Marshalltown CC)) scored eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds – her most ever in a game as a Raider. Rodriguez Sanchez also had active hands on defense, forcing three steals.
Shippensburg shot 40 percent from the field, marking the third time this season it finished a game 40 percent or better. The Raiders also matched a season low by committing just 14 turnovers and matched a season high with 18 made free throws (18-of-23, 78 percent).
Edinboro shot 44 percent from the field and was excellent at the free-throw line, making 20-of-22 (91 percent) of its attempts. Hayley Sims led the visitors with 20 points and four assists, while Gillian Fisher had 17 points and eight rebounds.
Shippensburg is on the road for its next two contests, traveling Wednesday to face Pitt-Johnstown at 5:30 p.m. at Sports Center.
