Box Score

CHEYNEY, Pa. – The Shippensburg University women's basketball team fought back from a first-half deficit and held onto a slim lead late on Saturday afternoon from Cope Hall before dispatching Cheyney, 53-48, to clinch the fourth and final playoff spot in the PSAC Eastern Division.

The Raiders (13-11, 10-10 PSAC), who have two home games remaining in the regular season, will be playing in the PSAC playoffs for the first time since the 2007-08 season and for the first time as members of the PSAC Eastern Division.

Junior Dana Wert and senior Monae Baker led all scorers with 15 points each. Dana Wert finished the game going 9-of-10 from the free throw line and added a game-high five assists while Baker finished just one rebound short of notching her fourth consecutive double-double.

Junior Shawna Wert went 5-of-6 from the stripe to finish with nine points and five rebounds. Sophomore Sarah Strybuc scored eight points.

Shippensburg found itself in foul trouble early in the first half before the Raiders, facing a 16-9 deficit with over five minutes left, began to draw fouls on Cheyney (0-24, 0-20 PSAC).

The Raiders capitalized on their opportunities from the free-throw line and used a big three-pointer from senior Erin Varley with the shot clock running down as part of a 10-3 run to tie it up at 19 with two minutes left in the period. The Wolves scored the final four points of the half, however, to head into the break up 23-19.

Dana Wert opened up the second half with a three-pointer from the corner on SU's first possession. A Cheyney offensive foul preceded a Monae Baker three-point play on SU's next trip down the court that gave the Raiders a 25-23. Baker followed with another layup to finish off an 8-0 Shippensburg run just 1:38 into the second half.

Fueled by its Senior Day crowd, Cheyney responded, going on an 8-0 run that gave the Wolves a 33-29 lead at the 14:30 mark. A pair of Baker free throws nearly four minutes later put SU on top 36-35 just under midway through the half.

The freebies gave the Raiders the lead for good and started an 11-0 run that opened up a 45-35 SU lead, as the Raiders' defense held Cheyney scoreless for a nearly nine-minute stretch that lasted until just over three minutes left in the game.

The Wolves threatened in the final two minutes, getting to within four points with 1:05 left. Baker made both free throws on SU's next possession after drawing a foul on a drive to the basket.

Dana Wert and Strybuc each went 2-for-2 from the stripe in the final 13 seconds – all part of an 8-for-8 performance from the free throw line in the final 2:25 of play and a 16-for-17 effort in the second half.

Shippensburg will return home on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. tip against Millersville from Heiges Field House.