The Shippensburg University women's basketball team earned a dramatic victory over St. Mary's in its first game at the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic Friday evening in San Antonio, Texas, 57-55.
Shippensburg (2-4) edged St. Mary's (3-2) in a close battle that featured eight ties and nine lead changes, with senior guard
Taja Colbert converting a contested runner in the lane for the game-winning shot with 3.6 seconds left.
Colbert, who totaled 11 points, was one of two Raiders to reach double figures in scoring, joining sophomore
Alexis Buie, who netted a team-high 13 points.
The Raiders maintained a one-point lead at intermission, 25-24, and stretched their advantage to as much as eight points in the second half.
The Rattlers cut into the margin down the stretch, and eventually took a 52-51 lead with 1:10 remaining.
Despite the Rattler run, the Raiders managed to stay composed and execute during crunch time. Buie came away with the ball following an SU miss and converted a layup to regain a one-point lead, 53-52, with 37-seconds left on the clock.
After St. Mary's answered with a driving layup, freshman
Rylee Kraft grabbed another offensive board. After drawing a foul, Kraft sank a pair of clutch free throws to make it 53-52 Shippensburg with 18 ticks remaining.
A one-for-two trip from the foul line from the Rattlers tied the game at 55-55, leading to Colbert's game-winning basket on SU's final offensive possession.
Senior
Abbie Miller had a strong all-around performance, registering eight points on four-of-seven shooting (57%), seven rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. Sophomore
Bella Chimienti chipped in with six boards and four assists, and freshman
McKenzie Thomas matched her career high with seven points.
Defensively, SU held the opposition without a three-pointer, as the Rattlers shot zero-for-14 from long range for the game.
St. Mary's one-two punch of Christin Callens (20 points) and Imani Ivery (16 points) combined for 36 of the Rattlers' 55 points.
Up next, the Raiders wrap up play at the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic against Texas A&M – Kingsville Saturday at 3 p.m. (EST).
