Box Score

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The Lady Raider basketball team is off to a 3-0 start for the 2008-09 season with a 67-64 victory over Pittsburgh-Johnstown on Saturday afternoon at the Sports Center. Sophomore Kasey Gardner led all scorers with 22 points.

The victory secured head coach Kristy Trn her 300th combined coaching victory at Shippensburg. Trn amassed 128 victories in five years as the team's primary assistant coach from 1994-95 to 1998-99 and has now compiled a 172-91 record through nine-plus seasons as the Lady Raider head coach.

Shippensburg (3-0) held a 31-23 halftime lead over UPJ (1-3) but was challenged in the second half. Trailing 57-52 with 6:38 to play, the Lady Raiders battled back over the final six minutes and took the lead for good when junior Michelle Metz hit a jumper with 20 seconds remaining.

The key to the finish came on UPJ's ensuing possession. With seven seconds to play, Lindsay Cale's shot was blocked by junior Lauren Beckley, and Gardner gobbled up the rebound and secured the victory with two free throws.

With many Lady Raiders in foul trouble on Saturday, freshman Jenn Morrow stepped up and produced for Shippensburg. In 16 minutes off the bench, Morrow added 12 points and two blocks while making all three of her field goal attempts and draining 6-of-7 from the free-throw line.

Beckley finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds for her second double-double in three games. She is averaging 23.7 points and 10.0 rebounds through three games. Gardner is averaging 15.3 points and seven rebounds through three games.

Shippensburg returns to action on Tuesday in a road contest at Philadelphia University. The women will take on the Rams at 6 p.m from Gallagher Center.