The Shippensburg University women's basketball team hung tough until the final moments Saturday in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division setback at Bloomsburg, 77-60.
 
Shippensburg (8-12, 5-9 PSAC East) didn't allow the opposition to pull away thanks to team-best 16 points from senior Taja Colbert, including a career-high 10 free throws. Junior forward Makayla Foddrell netted career highs in both points (12) and steals (5).
 
Bloomsburg (14-7, 8-6) led nearly wire-to-wire, keeping the Raiders at bay due to its three-point shooting prowess (11-for-21, 52.2 percent) and the inside play of senior Katie Starr (20 points, six rebounds).
 
A 14-2 late-first quarter Bloomsburg run resulted in a 24-13 deficit after 10 minutes. The Raiders managed to get within eight points, 50-42, in the third and ten with 2:21 remaining in the fourth, 65-55, before the Huskies pulled away from the free throw line – with the final score marking their largest lead of the game.
 
Bloomsburg dished out 18 assists to just four for Shippensburg. The Huskies also maintained a 33-to-27 advantage on the glass.
 
The hosts got a big lift off the bench redshirt-junior guard Maddie LaFrance (15 points, 4-of-9 from three-point range) and senior guard Ava Stephenson (11 points, a team-best five assists). The pair led to a 28-to-7 Bloomsburg advantage in bench points.
 
Shippensburg stayed within striking distance despite a 0-for-6 night from beyond the arc.
 
Senior Abbie Miller was the third SU player to finish in double-figures, totaling 10 points and four rebounds. Sophomore Bella Chimienti chipped in with nine.
 
The Raiders return home Wednesday for a 6 p.m. tip against Millersville.