The Shippensburg University women’s basketball team brushed off a slow start to extend its win streak to four as it defeated Lock Haven, 73-59, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division matchup Saturday afternoon at Thomas Fieldhouse.
Shippensburg (17-3, 12-2 PSAC) struggled offensively in the first quarter, shooting just 1-for-13 from the field. It was the lowest scoring quarter the Raiders have had all season.
How it happened
With under four minutes to play in the first half, Lock Haven (7-12, 5-9) only held a three-point lead despite the Raiders shooting 13 percent from the field.
Shippensburg went on a 10-5 run to end the second quarter, including four consecutive points from graduate Lauren Pettis (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township) to give the Raiders a two-point lead at halftime.
After starting the game 3-for-23 (13 percent) from the field, the Raiders never looked back and went 15 for their next 25 (60 percent) from the field to gain a double-digit lead.
The Raiders opened the half on a 12-4 run to extend their lead to ten. From there, they continued to build momentum. Shippensburg ended the third on a 16-7 run, shooting 6-of-8 from the field, to lead 58-41 heading into the fourth.
Senior Ariel Jones (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) led all scorers with 27 points. She also grabbed eight boards and added four steals and two assists.
Pettis recorded her tenth double-double of the season, scoring 15 points and bringing down 13 rebounds.
Junior Treasure George (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) added 16 points and four rebounds.
Graduate Erin Gibbons (Swoyersville, Pa./Wyoming Valley West (Mansfield)) went a perfect 2-2 from the three-point line and added three steals and two assists. Sophomore Abbie Miller (Camp Hill, Pa./Cumberland Valley) brought down eight boards and contributed three points, three assists and two steals.
The Raiders went 20-23 from the charity stripe, making it the fourth road game this season the team has shot 87 percent or better from the line.
Up next
Shippensburg gets its PSAC “bye” on Wednesday and returns to action next Saturday to play East Stroudsburg at 1 p.m.
