The Shippensburg University women's basketball team scored a season-high 26 points in the fourth quarter but fell to Clarion in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover matchup Saturday at Tippin Gymnasium, 71-61.
Shippensburg (1-11, 0-5 PSAC) trimmed a 14-point deficit down to as little as five in the final ten minutes.
Abbie Johns was the catalyst, pouring in a game-high 20 points.
Melana Eyer totaled 15 points, five assists and three steals.
Clarion (8-4, 3-3) was paced by the tandem of Zoe Guice and Alyssa Terza. Guice led the Golden Eagles with 19 points, while Terza totaled 18 points, including a 5-for-10 performance from three-point range.
Each team started slow offensively. SU held the hosts to 28.6 percent shooting in the first half (10-for-35) but shot just 22 percent themselves (5-for-22) during that same period.
Eyer assisted on each of Shippensburg's first three made baskets and four of the team's five total first half field goals.
The Raiders came to life offensively with a 6-1 run late in the third quarter that was highlighted by a Johns made three that trimmed the deficit to just four points, 37-33, with 2:18 remaining in the frame.
Clarion responded with a quick 5-0 spurt, and Terza drained a dagger three to give the Golden Eagles their largest lead, 50-36, with 8:07 left in the contest.
The Raiders continued to fight, however, and whittled the deficit back down to five on two separate occasions in the final minutes. First on a Johns pull-up jumper with 2:20 remaining, 60-55, and later on a Johns three with 0:39 left, 65-60.
Aiding the SU comeback was a season-best performance from the free throw line. The Raiders converted a season-high 77 percent from the stripe (27-for-35) and their 27 makes were also a season-best.
The two teams combined for 51 total fouls. Four different Raiders fouled out, while another finished with four personals.
Michelle Olak chipped in with eight points and six rebounds.
Makayla Foddrell finished with six points and nine boards.
The Raiders continue their road swing Wednesday at Bloomsburg. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
