BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – Senior forward Lauren Beckley totaled 43 points on Wednesday night from Nelson Fieldhouse to become the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) as the Shippensburg University women's basketball team recorded a crucial 72-67 victory over Bloomsburg that put the Lady Raiders in position for a playoff berth.

“It's been such a fun ride,” said a humble Beckley after a game in which she totaled her 57th career double-double (43 points, 15 rebounds). “There have been some ups and downs, but we're really glad how this year has turned out. I think if we keep this going it will be a great end to a great career.”

Beckley entered the contest needing 17 points to break the mark set by Cheyney's Valerie Walker (1978-82) of 2,289 points but had already achieved the feat by halftime. Beckley now has 2,316 points and still at least three more games to add to that mark.

On the same shot in which Beckley became the conference's all-time leading scorer, the Fairfield native set a second record in becoming Shippensburg University's career leader for three-pointers. She sank four three-pointers against the Huskies on Wednesday and has now made 249 through 607 attempts (41.0 percent). Tracy Spencer finished her Lady Raider career in 1996 with 246 three-pointers out of 701 attempts (35.1 percent).

Shippensburg (13-14, 6-5 PSAC East) needed every single one of Beckley's points on Wednesday night, and a majority came from the foul line. In addition to her other outstanding accomplishments, Beckley tied a school record on Wednesday night by making 21-of-25 free throws. She hit all 14 of her attempts in the second half, including four in the final 19 seconds that clinched the victory for the Lady Raiders.

“I can just say it's been a pleasure coaching her for four years,” said head coach Kristy Trn. “Most coaches don't have the luxury of coaching a player like Lauren Beckley and I've been fortunate enough to be able to coach her for four years. What she does on and off the court is absolutely phenomenal. Tonight's game showed what type of competitor and the caliber of star that she is.”

SU went through some offensive struggles after the opening tip, shooting just 3-of-18 from the field to start the game. The Huskies converted several three-point field goal attempts during a 15-4 run that gave the home team a 25-14 advantage with 9:33 to play in the first half.

Beckley and junior forward Kasey Gardner keyed the first-half comeback for the Lady Raiders. The duo scored the team's first 25 points of the game and was a key factor on a 19-6 run over the final six minutes of the half that helped Shippensburg trail by just one point at intermission, 36-35.

After Beckley hit a three-pointer to open the second half, Shippensburg never relinquished control of the lead despite some close calls from the Huskies. SU built a 13-point lead with 10:55 to play after starting the second half on a 24-10 run. A layup from Kayla Oxenrider got the BU within two points in the final 30 seconds before Beckley clinched the win with her free throws.

The Lady Raiders moved into a three-way tie for third place in the PSAC Eastern Division after Wednesday's victory. SU now boasts a 6-5 divisional record along with West Chester and Bloomsburg. Cheyney is one game behind with a 5-6 record. The top two seeds are currently Millersville (10-1) and Kutztown (8-3).

Bloomsburg (14-8, 6-5 PSAC East) had four players post double figures, including 17 from Oxenrider. Kelsey Gallagher had 13 points, Alyssa Flanagan contributed 12 and Jordan Pasik had 10.

Shippensburg will return home on Saturday to face Kutztown in another crucial PSAC Eastern Division matchup. The team will hold its annual alumni game at 10 a.m. that day. Also on Saturday, the Shippensburg University Athletics Department and the women's basketball team will be coordinating its annual Pink Zone event in conjunction with the national initiative by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).

All fans wearing pink receive admission for just $1 and any students attending the game are also encouraged to dress in pink. Tau Kappa, Shippensburg University's women's athletic fraternity, will be selling ribbon cards for $1 donations to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. The members of Tau Kappa will also form a human ribbon at halftime and present breast cancer facts to the public while also tossing out T-shirts.

Notes: Through 110 career games, Beckley has scored 10 or more points 105 times…she has scored 20 or more points 61 times and 30 or more points 18 times…it was the second time in her career she achieved 40 or more points in a game…the other occasion was a school-record 47 points as a sophomore against Lock Haven…the other player to achieve 21 free throws in a game is Stacey Cunningham-Dellinger, who was 21-of-22 against West Liberty State on Feb. 13, 1982…ironically, Beckley broke the PSAC scoring record that lasted 28 years…the SU football team also won its first PSAC championship this season in a 28-year span…Beckley's 43 points ranks sixth in school history for a single game.