SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University women's basketball team put forth a strong second-half surge on Saturday afternoon against the top team in the Eastern Division, but the Raiders could not complete their rally in dropping an 82-74 decision to West Chester in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup from Heiges Field House.
 
Shippensburg (3-13, 2-8 PSAC) played a strong first quarter, working to a 19-19 tie after the opening 10 minutes. SU and the Golden Rams played to five ties and five lead changes in the frame, with the Raiders committing just one turnover in the first quarter.
 
West Chester (12-4, 9-3) closed the first half on a 19-2 run over the final 4:17 of the second quarter to transform a one-point game into a decisive 48-30 halftime advantage. The Golden Rams scored 20 points off 11 SU turnovers in the first half and had assists on 13-of-19 field goals.
 
The Raiders clawed back, using an 11-0 run over a 2:14 stretch late in the third quarter. SU trailed by 10 points after the end of the third quarter and got within four points, 76-72, with 1:05 to play. West Chester made 6-of-7 free throws down the stretch to clinch the win.   
 
SU out-scored the Golden Rams 44-34 in the second half and had four of its starters post double figures.
 
Freshman Kryshell Gordy scored a career-high 19 points (15 in the second half) and totaled 12 rebounds for her third career double-double. Gordy was 8-of-9 (89 percent) from the field, marking the best individual field-goal percentage by a Raider this season, and also totaled three assists.
 
Freshman Ariel Jones matched Gordy with 19 points, also scoring 15 points in the second half. Jones was 8-of-9 at the free-throw line and totaled five rebounds, four assists and a steal. She has posted double figures in all 17 games this season.
 
Freshman Kasey Engle posted double figures for the second straight game and the fourth time this season, totaling 12 points and a career-high seven rebounds. Engle was 4-of-7 from the field and had a pair of steals.
 
Senior Victoria Blackburn scored 10 points, handed out three assists, and tied a career high with four steals. Blackburn recorded at least three assists for the fifth straight game and posted double figures for the seventh time this season.
 
Senior Kristin McGeough had six points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Off the bench, freshman Jazzie Orth scored a career-high six points on 3-of-6 shooting.
 
The Raiders shot 48 percent from the field but just 64 percent (18-of-28) at the free-throw line. SU also matched its season high with 46 points in the paint.
 
Shippensburg travels to Bloomsburg on Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. tip with the Huskies from Nelson Field House.