SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - For the third-straight game and fifth in the last six, the Shippensburg women's basketball team committed at least 20 turnovers as the Lady Raiders had 20 on Wednesday evening in a 66-57 loss against Lock Haven at Heiges Field House.
With tonight's loss and Edinboro's loss at Slippery Rock, Shippensburg (14-9, 4-4 PSAC West) now finds itself in a three-way tie for third-place in the PSAC Western Division with Lock Haven and Edinboro. The Lady Raiders split the season series with both teams, winning on the road, but losing at home.
Shippensburg was led by freshman forward Lauren Beckley (Fairfield/Fairfield) scored at least 20 points for the 11th time this season as she had a game-high 24 points to go along with 12 rebounds for her second career double double.
Meanwhile, senior center Shanna Oaddams (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro) totaled her 30th career double double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. In addition to the 20 turnovers this evening, the Lady Raiders shot 65-percent or less from the free throw line for the fifth-straight game, making 13-of-20 attempts.
During Shippensburg's three-game losing streak, the team has committed 64 turnovers which have led to 81 opponent points while shooting 58.3-percent from the free throw line (35-of-60).
Lock Haven (11-11, 4-4 PSAC West) scored the first nine points of the game and led 9-0 on a Ginger Williams jumper with 17:00 remaining in the first half. Williams, who finished the game with eight points, 15 rebounds and six blocks had eight points, nine rebounds and five blocks in the first half.
Thanks in large part to Williams' five blocks, the Lady Raiders shot just 32.4-percent in the half, but went on an 8-0 run to take their first lead, 29-27 with 1:14 to play on a jumper by Oaddams.
However, the Lady Eagles would answer and take a 30-29 halftime on a three-pointer by Lauren Kelshaw with 58 seconds left.
Shippensburg would lead by as many as five in the second half before holding a 48-45 advantage with 5:29 remaining in the second half, but a 13-4 Lock Haven run would give the Lady Eagles a 58-49 advantage with 2:30 to play.
The Lady Raiders would cut the lead to three in the final two minutes following three consecutive free throws by Beckley, but Ilia Lopez scored eight of Lock Haven's final 10 points in the final 1:17 to give the Lady Eagles just their third win in the last seven games.
Lopez had a game-high 19 points while Elizabeth Gabrielle added 15 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Shippensburg red-shirt freshman forward Jenny Cunningham (McVeytown/Lewistown) added eight points and 10 rebounds in the loss and over her last seven games, has averaged 13 points and nine rebounds.
The Lady Raiders travel to Clarion on Saturday for their first road game since January 24. Game time is at 1:00 p.m., with the contest being broadcast live on Shippensburg University student radio station WSYC 88.7 FM and on the internet at raiders.ship.edu.