Penn State Harrisburg 57, Lancaster Bible 45

Harrisburg Starters

Miller, Amey, Butler, Hamby, Mahan

LBC Starters

Steiner, Smith, Tilton, Hickey, Graves

How It Happened

Propelled by Rachel Miller's career night, Penn State Harrisburg jumped out to a big lead and held off a late charge by Lancaster Bible in the team's 57-45 season-opening victory at the Capital Union Building on Thursday night, Nov. 8.

Miller poured in a career-high 23 points against the Chargers (0-1) and outscored the visitors 22-20 in the first half alone. Laurel Amey netted nine tallies, while freshmen Kendis Butler and Anna Mahan combined for 15 points in their first collegiate outing.

Leading 14-10 in the early going, the Lions (1-0) used a tremendous 17-4 run over the course of 7:39 that spanned the first and second quarters to wrestle the momentum away from Lancaster Bible. Miller knocked down a trio of 3-point field goals during the crucial stretch before the Blue & White stretched the advantage to 38-20 at halftime.

The Chargers and Harrisburg's field goal percentage settled down after the break, with the Lions managing just six points in the third quarter, allowing the visitors to cut into the once-seemingly insurmountable lead heading into the final 10 minutes of play.

Lancaster Bible opened the fourth quarter with a 14-3 run and drew to within three points with 3:19 left to play but Penn State Harrisburg was able to come up with a much-needed defensive stop down the stretch before the visitors were forced to foul in crunch time. Amey and Butler converted key free throws in the closing minutes and Madison Hemler added a layup for good measure to put things out of reach and end the Chargers' comeback hopes in the final seconds.

Number to Know

77.8 – Rachel Miller's blistering field goal percentage in racking up a career-high and game-best 23 points. She finished 7-of-9 from the field, including an outstanding 5-of-6 (83.3 percent) from beyond the arc.

Inside the Numbers

- Lancaster Bible shot 35.1 percent from the field, while the Lions managed a 30.2-percent output from the floor.

- Harrisburg netted all six of its 3-point field goals in the first half.

- The Chargers were unable to muster one field from distance, finishing 0-for-12 from beyond the arc.

- LBC was strong on the glass, outrebounding the Blue & White 47-to-33.

- Penn State Harrisburg went 19-of-26 (73.1 percent) from the foul line, while the visitors struggled in going 5-of-12 (41.7 percent).

- The Lions assisted on 11 of the team's 16 made field goals.

- Rachel Miller led all scorers with 23 points.

- Laurel Amey netted nine points to go along with four rebounds and a pair of assists.

- Madison Hemler added six points, six rebounds and three steals off the bench.

- Kendis Butler tallied seven points, five assists, four boards and one steal in her collegiate debut.

- Anna Mahan was solid in her first collegiate outing, finishing with five points, five rebounds and four steals.

- Caitlin Hickey scored a team-high 17 points for Lancaster Bible.

Who's Next?

The Lions take to the road for the first time this season when they travel to Trinity (D.C.) on Saturday afternoon.

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