EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University women's basketball team returned to action after a 16-day layoff and could not overcome home-standing East Stroudsburg, dropping a 72-61 decision to the Warriors in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup from Koehler Fieldhouse.
 
Shippensburg (1-11, 0-6 PSAC) started well in the first six minutes of play, establishing an early 12-11 lead with 4:47 left in the opening quarter. East Stroudsburg (8-3, 6-1), however, used a pair of key late runs in each of the opening quarters to take control.
 
The Warriors closed the first quarter on a 10-2 run to lead by seven after the opening 10 minutes. ESU closed the second quarter on a 10-0 run in the final 1:57 of the half to take a 46-25 lead into the intermission. The Raiders got as close as nine points in the final minute of play, putting forth a strong effort in the second half.
 
Freshman Kryshell Gordy finished with her second double-double and recorded three new career highs: 13 points, 15 rebounds and four steals. In the second half alone, Gordy totaled 11 points, 10 rebounds and three steals.
 
Freshman Ariel Jones led the Raiders in scoring, totaling 17 points including 8-of-10 from the free-throw line. Jones scored 13 of her 17 points in the second half and has posted double figures in all 12 games this season.
 
Senior Victoria Blackburn was a consistent scorer for the Raiders on Wednesday night and a third Raider in double figures. Blackburn was two short of career high, totaling 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting. It was the fourth time in her career she sank three three-pointers (3-of-4 from long range).
 
Senior Kristin McGeough had four points and five rebounds. Freshman Lili Benzel was assertive off the bench with six points on 3-of-6 shooting. Redshirt-sophomore Gabriela Blackburn had four points, and freshman Ireland Pelletier grabbed a career-high four rebounds.
 
Shippensburg hosts Millersville at 1 p.m. Saturday from Heiges Field House.