EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. - Despite receiving a game-high 28 points from freshman Lauren Beckley (Fairfield/Fairfield), the Shippensburg Lady Raiders came up short in their bid to put together back-to-back wins for the first season, as East Stroudsburg started strong and finished with an 87-75 win Sunday afternoon.
East Stroudsburg (4-0) used hot shooting in the first half to build a 40-29 lead at end of the first period. The Warriors built their lead to as much as 14 mid-way through the first half thanks to 48.4 percent shooting from the floor and limiting Shippensburg (3-4) to just 8-of-26 shooting.
Despite the sluggish start, Shippensburg battled back, closing the margin to seven points with 11 minutes remaining in the contest, but the balanced Warrior offense, who finished the afternoon with five players in double figures, staved off the run with five-straight points from DeAnna Rayam, who finished the day with 14.
In the second period, Ship cashed in 14-of-26 from the floor for 46 points. The Warriors, however, countered with 18-of-32 shooting for 47 points.
Beckley, the reigning Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division Rookie of the Week, played all 40 minutes and grabbed five rebounds to go with her 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting. In two PSAC Crossover games this weekend, Beckley totaled 58 points, marking the highest two-game total since Jennifer Scaffidi totaled 61 points in losses to Pittsburgh-Johnstown and West Chester on Nov. 30 and Dec. 4 of 2004.
Senior Samantha Ramus (New Cumberland/Trinity) chipped in 13 points and seven boards while junior Megan Fogle (Wrightsville/Eastern York) contributed 14 points, four rebounds and four assists. Ramus and Fogle also combined for 12-of-12 shooting from the free throw line.
Senior Shanna Oaddams (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro) grabbed 11 rebounds, but tallied just eight points, putting an end to a run of 16-game straight double-digit performances. The streak dated back to Jan. 21, 2006 when she tallied seven points against Indiana
(Pa.).
The Lady Raiders return to action on Sat., Dec. 9 at W.Va. Wesleyan in Buckhannon, W.Va.
