The Shippensburg University women's basketball team attempted a second-half rally Saturday but was out-paced by Western Division No. 2 seed Gannon, dropping a 74-58 decision to the Golden Knights in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) semifinal at IUP's Kovalchick Complex.
Shippensburg (21-9) shot 24 percent in the first quarter and just 29.6 percent in the opening half. Gannon (24-6) opened the game on an 11-2 run, led 24-12 after the first quarter, and controlled the low post. The Golden Knights shot 52 percent, scored 48 points in the paint, and converted 20 Raider turnovers into 24 points.
During the second half, the Raiders improved offensively, shooting 42.9 percent from the floor. The half opened with the Raiders on a 9-5 run, while also holding the Golden Knights scoreless for more than four minutes during the quarter. Shippensburg's scoring effort in the quarter was balanced, as the Raiders used buckets from five different scorers.
Overall, junior
Ariel Jones scored a team-high 18 points — including three three-pointers. Sophomore
Aunbrielle Green scored 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting and had five rebounds. Junior
Kryshell Gordy led the Raiders with seven rebounds. Sophomore
Lauren Mills added three assists.
Sophomore
Lauren Pettis had a strong effort off the bench, scoring nine points and grabbing four rebounds. Junior
Destiny Jefferson made two early three-pointers for her six total points.
Gannon was led by a 20-point effort from senior Chelsea Rourke and another 18 points from sophomore Tori Obenrader. The Golden Knights made seven three-pointers and had 23 assists.
Jones completes her junior season with 670 points – tying Tracy Spencer (1995-96) for the second-most in a single season in school history – she set the school record last season with 690 points. Her 219 made free throws tie Melissa Swartz (1995-96) for the second-most in a single season in school history – she set the PSAC single-season record last year with 234.
Shippensburg completed its 22nd PSAC Tournament appearance — bringing its all-time conference tournament record to 27-16. The campaign marked the twelfth 20-win season for the Raiders.
