The Shippensburg University women's basketball team could not maintain a double-digit halftime lead in a loss to Kutztown in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division action at Keystone Arena, 55-47.
Shippensburg (3-21, 2-15 PSAC East) led Kutztown (14-9, 10-6) by 13 points, 29-16, following a dominant first half only to be outscored 39-18 after halftime.
SU lost despite holding Kutztown to just 22.9 percent from the field (11-of-48). The two teams combined for 53 personal fouls, and Kutztown scored 32 of its 55 points from the free-throw line.
Michelle Olak neared a double-double, totaling a team-high 15 points and nine rebounds.
Abbie Johns had a terrific two-way performance, registering 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting (66.7 percent) and a career-high three steals.
The Raiders scored the first seven points and did not allow a field goal until the 9-second mark of the first quarter – holding the Golden Bears to 1-of-11 from the field defensively in the opening 10 minutes.
Fouls allowed KU to stay in the game early on, and an 8-of-10 performance from the stripe during that stretch kept the score close as SU led at the conclusion of the opening period, 11-10.
SU kept at it and began to grow its lead in the second frame. Olak delivered a three-point play to push the margin to double-digits, 22-12, and Johns drained a three with 1:15 remaining in the first half to give the visitors their largest lead, 29-16.
SU's defense held Kutztown to 15.4 percent (4-of-26) from the field in the first half, while the Raiders shot 8-of-19 (42.1 percent) and a perfect 10-of-10 (100 percent) from the foul line.
The Raider offense began to stall following the break.
Kutztown began the second half with a 9-0 run, but the Raiders still led, 37-32, after three quarters.
The Golden Bears followed with 11 straight points to start the fourth quarter, taking their first lead of the game on a pair of free throws with 6:12 remaining in regulation.
Kutztown, zero for its first 13 from beyond the arc, then took a five-point edge, 42-37, when Danae Ellzy knocked down the Golden Bears' first and only trey with 4:53 remaining.
As the fouls began to mount the Raiders' chances at a comeback became more difficult – as three SU starters ultimately fouled out in the game. One player was disqualified for Kutztown.
Ellzy paced the Golden Bears with 12 points.
McKenzie Thomas contributed nine points and eight rebounds for SU, while
Makayla Foddrell matched her career-high with three assists.
Shippensburg next travels to East Stroudsburg Saturday for a 1 p.m. tip.
