The Shippensburg University women's basketball team was within two points of undefeated Jefferson University with 7:40 remaining on Tuesday night but ultimately could not get past the Rams, falling 68-56 in a non-conference matchup from the Gallagher Center.
 
Shippensburg (0-5) and Jefferson (5-0) played a tight contest that featured nine ties and eight lead changes. The Raiders held a 22-19 lead after the first 10 minutes, shooting 6-of-9 from three-point range and scoring 15 points in the final 4:50 of the first quarter.
 
SU and JU were within six points or less of each other all game long until the fourth quarter, as the Rams closed on a 19-9 run to claim the victory.
 
Senior center Kristin McGeough had a breakout performance, as she achieved her first career double-double. McGeough set career highs with 10 points and 11 rebounds and four assists on 5-of-10 shooting in 28 minutes.  

Freshman Lili Benzel earned a start Tuesday and finished with a team-high 14 points, making three three-pointers in the opening quarter. Fellow freshman Ariel Jones had 10 points, five assists and two blocks, making 5-of-5 from the free-throw line.
  
Redshirt-sophomore Gabriela Blackburn also hit a pair of three-pointers in the first quarter, finishing with eight points off the bench. Freshman Kryshell Gordy added eight points and eight rebounds.
 
Shippensburg travels to West Virginia this weekend for a 2 p.m. Sunday matchup at the University of Charleston.