Gallery: (11-15-2025) 2025-26 WBB vs. Lincoln (Pa.)
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University women's basketball team fought back from a seven-point fourth quarter deficit to topple Lincoln (Pa.) in overtime in the final game of the Conference Challenge (PSAC vs. CIAA) Saturday night at Heiges Field House, 59-55.
Shippensburg (1-1) never led until the 4:30 mark of the fourth quarter and trailed by three with :27 seconds remaining in regulation.
Abbie Johns led the SU comeback with a career high 18 points on 7-of-14 from the field (50 percent), including 13 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Lincoln (0-2) guard Alaila Walker did her best to try and quell the Raider charge, netting a game-high 29 points.
The Lion point guard drained one of her six triples after a Johns fast break layup gave Shippensburg a one-point advantage midway through the fourth quarter.
Forced to foul late, Johns and freshman point guard
Melana Eyer went 4-for-4 from the charity stripe inside the final 11 seconds, while a vital miss from Walker allowed the Raiders to force overtime tied at 47-47.
The Raiders scored on their first two trips of the extra session, getting a short jumper from
Michelle Olak and a three-point make from
McKenzie Thomas.
Another Walker triple gave the Lions back a one-point advantage 2:38 left in OT before a four-point trip from the Raiders gave them the lead for good.
Olak converted a spinning layup in the lane through contact. The SU forward missed the ensuing foul shot, but Eyer – the shortest player on the court – was there to grab the offensive rebound and convert the putback to give SU a three-point edge.
Johns then answered a pair of Lincoln free throws with a timely trey to make it a two-possession game, 59-55, with 50 seconds remaining.
The Raiders drained both of their three-point attempts in overtime after going 1-for-14 from long range in regulation.
Eyer played all 45 minutes for the Raiders in just her second collegiate game. She posted new career highs in both points (12) and assists (4).
Olak was a third Raider to reach double figures with 12 points in addition to six rebounds. Freshman
Lauren Marton chipped in a career-best eight points and four boards.
The Shippensburg defense held the Lions to just 28.8 percent shooting for the game. Freshman
Kiara Hardy made a major impact off the SU bench on both ends, totaling five steals and five assists.
After the game, Johns and Eyer were both named to the Conference Challenge (PSAC vs. CIAA) All-Tournament Team.
Johns totaled a combined 20 points and 11 rebounds in two games, while Eyer accumulated 22 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
Walker, who totaled 52 points (26 ppg.) in two outings this weekend, represented Lincoln on the All-Tournament Team.
The Raiders return to action when they host Point Park at Heiges Field House Wednesday at 6 p.m.
