Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Behind a fourth consecutive double-double from freshman Stephanie Knauer and three other players scoring in double figures, the Shippensburg University women's basketball team defeated PSAC West opponent Mercyhurst, 66-49, on Tuesday evening in the first of two mid-week conference crossover games from Heiges Field House.

Knauer was 10-of-13 from the free-throw line and finished with 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Senior Dana Wert scored a team-high 15 points off the bench to go along with five rebounds and three assists.

Senior Shawna Wert added 13 points and five rebounds while junior Sarah Strybuc scored 11 points.

Shippensburg (7-2, 3-1 PSAC) opened up a double-digit lead just over six minutes into the first half when two Knauer free throws finished off a 10-0 run and made the score 12-2 in SU's favor. The lead grew throughout the half, as the Raiders turned a 14-6 lead midway through the period into a 25-6 lead with 4:44 left.

SU pushed the lead to 20, up 28-8, with 1:57 on the clock, but Mercyhurst (2-4, 2-2) went on a 6-0 run to finish the period and close the halftime deficit to 28-14. The Raiders pushed their lead up to 40-23 just over six minutes into the second half before an 11-4 Mercyhurst run cut the lead to 10, 44-34, at the 10:44 mark.

The Lakers would cut the lead down to as few as eight points with 3:45 remaining in the game, but a crucial three-point play from senior Raediah Lyles (seven points, four rebounds, three steals), a Strybuc jumper and a 6-of-6 SU effort from the free-throw line in the final 1:29 cemented the 17-point victory.

The Raiders return to action tomorrow evening with a 5:30 p.m. tip against Gannon.