SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University women's basketball team held strong on Saturday night against No. 7 Gannon, but the Raiders ultimately dropped a 68-59 decision to the Golden Knights in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) mandated crossover at Heiges Field House.
Shippensburg (5-3, 1-1 PSAC) opened the game with a 5-0 run and held Gannon (5-1, 1-1) scoreless for the first five minutes of the game. The Golden Knights did not reach double figures until three minutes into the second quarter, and the Raiders led by 11 points at halftime.
Gannon opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run but still trailed by four points entering the final quarter. GU closed the third quarter with four straight points and continued that run into the fourth quarter to tie the score with 8:29 left. The Golden Knights pulled away with a 17-2 run and went 4-of-5 from three-point range in the fourth quarter after making only one three-pointer in the first 30 minutes
The Raiders shot 40 percent from the field, including 3-of-10 from three-point range, but shot 57 percent (12-of-21) from the free-throw line. Gannon had a 39-33 rebounding advantage and was 13-of-18 (72 percent) from the free-throw line.
Senior
Destiny Jefferson led the Raiders with 22 points, four rebounds, and four steals. Junior
Lauren Pettis had 14 points, six rebounds and a career-high four steals.
Sophomore
Treasure George was the third Raider with double figures, posting 12 points, a team-high four assists, and a steal. Junior
Lauren Mills finished with a team high of seven rebounds and was 2-of-2 from the free-throw line.
Gannon had four players with double figures, including a team-high 17 points from Emma Wright. The Golden Knights had just one assist and committed 15 turnovers in the first half but had seven assists to just three turnovers in the second half. The teams combined for 43 turnovers.
Shippensburg will break next week for final exams and return to action at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14 with a mandated conference crossover at Clarion.
