SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University women's basketball team dropped its season opener to No. 10 Fayetteville State in its opening game of the Conference Challenge (PSAC vs. CIAA) Friday at Heiges Field House, 72-48.
 
Shippensburg (0-1) started out strong against Fayetteville State (1-0), trailing the Broncos by just a single point, 20-19, after a jumper from sophomore Mia Johnson with 8:48 remaining in the second quarter. But the Broncos' full court pressure defense forced a total of 26 Shippensburg turnovers and a 26-to-13 advantage in points off turnovers for the visitors.
 
Three Raiders reached double-figures. Freshman guard Abbie Johns was aggressive in her debut, finishing with a team-high 14 points, including a 2-for-5 night from three and a perfect 6-for-6 performance from the foul line.
 
Senior Taja Colbert totaled 11 points, five rebounds and three steals. Sophomore Alexis Buie also finished with 11 to go along with four rebounds and two blocks.
 
After a close start, Fayetteville managed to increase its lead to 15 points at halftime and by as much as 31 in the second half.
 
The Broncos' fast-paced scoring effort was led by point guard Talia Trotter, who piled up 17 points and four assists. Keayna McLaughlin finished with seven points, a team-best five steals and four assists.
 
Shippensburg wraps up play in the Conference Challenge Saturday against Lincoln. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.