JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — The Shippensburg University women's basketball team trailed by nine points with 15 seconds remaining in the third quarter Wednesday night at Pitt-Johnstown but responded with a 21-2 run over the next nine minutes, ultimately posting an 87-76 victory over the home-standing Lady Cats in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup from Sports Center. 

Shippensburg (12-2, 8-2 PSAC) had a halftime deficit for just the third time this season in large part to a torrid three-shooting rate by Pitt-Johnstown (6-9, 3-6). The Lady Cats, who entered shooting 30 percent from three-point range on the season, shot 9-of-17 (53 percent) through the first three quarters.

During its decisive run, Shippensburg held UPJ to 1-of-11 shooting and forced seven turnovers. Offensively, the Raiders were 7-of-11 from the floor, including 2-of-2 from distance, and 5-of-5 at the free-throw line. 

Shippensburg improved 8-1 this season when it posts a positive assist-to-turnover ratio, finishing with 22 assists and 13 turnovers. SU forced 24 UPJ turnovers, which led to 35 Raider points. The Raiders also posted a season-high 16 steals on the night.

Junior Logan Snyder scored a career-high 20 points to lead four Raiders in double figures. Snyder was 6-of-11 from the field, 7-of-8 at the free-throw line, and had three rebounds with two assists.

Junior Colleen Young tied her career high with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 5-of-5 at the free-throw line. Young was all over the floor, tying her season high with eight rebounds, and handing out a career-high seven assists. She has scored 11 or more points in eight of her last nine games. 

Junior Lauren Gold finished with 16 points, seven assists and a season-high five steals. Gold was also 12-of-12 at the free-throw line, marking the most makes in one game without a miss in her career (her single-game high for accuracy in her career was 11-of-11 versus Lock Haven in her freshman season). That performance also ties SU assistant coach Jen Grassel for the second-most made free throws in a game without a miss. 

Junior Morgan Griffith posted her sixth double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds. She also tied a career high with four steals. SU made just four three-pointers on the night, as Griffith was 2-of-3 from distance. 

Junior Haley Scullion was scoreless at the half but finished with nine points, five rebounds and four steals. Sophomore Victoria Blackburn hit a pivotal three-pointer from the corner with 3:19 to go, helping the Raiders extend their lead to nine points late in the game. 

SU finished the game 13-of-16 at the free-throw line over the final 2:04. Overall, Shippensburg posted season highs of 31 made free throws and 38 free-throw attempts. It is the most free throws in one game for the Raiders since SU put up the exact same 31-of-38 line in a win over Cheyney on Feb. 1, 2014.

Shippensburg will stay on the road this weekend, facing Millersville on Saturday at 1 p.m. in a PSAC East matchup from Pucillo Gymnasium. Live audio of the game will be available at mixlr.com/shipraiders.