SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Behind 30 points and 12 rebounds from sophomore forward #Lauren Beckley#, the Shippensburg University women's basketball team won its third-straight, using a strong second half to down East Stroudsburg, 76-65 Sunday afternoon at Heiges Field House.

The Lady Raiders (4-1) totaled 51 points in the second half, 19 of which came from Beckley. It was the most points Shippensburg has scored in a half since also netting 51 in the second half of a 79-64 victory at Clarion on Feb. 10, 2007. The team also shot 58.1 percent from the floor, including 71.4 percent from three-point range.

Sunday marked the fourth time in Beckley's career, and second in five games this season, that she has scored at least 30 points. Earlier this year in the season-opener against Tiffin, she set a new career-high with 31 in an 89-71 victory. Beckley also totaled 10 or more rebounds for the 11th time in her career, including fourth in five games this season.

Beckley was one of four Lady Raiders to score in double figures. Sophomore guard #Michelle Metz# was also a factor in the second half, totaling 12 of her career-high 15 points. She also finished the game with six rebounds, one shy of her career-high.

Freshman forward Kasey Gardner continued her strong rookie season, scoring in double figures for the fourth time this season with 14 points, all in the second half, while adding five rebounds. Despite a poor shooting performance on Saturday, senior guard #Megan Fogle# rebounded with 10 points on Sunday to go along with a career-high eight assists.

The Lady Raiders overcame a slow start in which they trailed 11-2 with 14:02 left in the first half after going 1-of-10 from the floor to start while committing three turnovers.

However, following a media timeout at 13:39, Shippensburg went on a 16-6 run over the next 8:41 to take an 18-17 lead, but the Warriors (1-4) would reel off eight-straight points to go back in front 25-18 with 1:58 left in the first half.

But, Beckley scored five of the Lady Raiders' final seven points, including an 18-foot jumper at the buzzer to tie the game at halftime, 25-25.

Beckley picked up right where she left off to start the second half as she scored Shippensburg's first five points and 11 of the first 23 to give the Lady Raiders a seven-point advantage, 48-41 at the 14:01 mark.

From there, Gardner totaled seven of her 14 second half points to increase the lead to 15 with 3:25 remaining at 76-61.

Kristen Murray was the only Warrior to reach double figures, totaling 18 points, one short of her career-high, to go along with five rebounds and three assists. The freshman guard from Harrisburg currently leads the Warriors in scoring this season at 12.6 points per game, despite not having started in either of the team's first five contests.

After five-straight home games to open the 2007-08 season, Shippensburg will now play seven games over the next 34 days on the road before returning to Heiges Field House on January 5. The Lady Raiders open their seven-game road trip next Friday, December 7 versus Dowling at East Stroudsburg in the first game of the ESU Rotary Classic. Game time is at 1:00 p.m.

- Lady Raider Basketball -