Penn State Harrisburg 66, Cairn 56

Harrisburg Starters

Mattis, Miller, Amey, Butler, Hamby

Cairn Starters

Krage, Emerick, K. Stum, Camp, V. Stum

How It Happened

A balanced attack propelled Penn State Harrisburg to a 66-56 victory over Cairn at the Capital Union Building on Wednesday night, Nov. 14.

Four players reached the double-digit scoring mark for the Blue & White (3-0), led by 14-point efforts from Madison Hemler and Kendis Butler. Hemler posted her first double-double of the season, racking up 10 rebounds to go along with her point total, while Rachel Miller added 12 tallies and Shanique Mattis chipped in with 11 points.

The Lions jumped out to a 10-4 lead early in the opening quarter thanks to a Mattis corner 3-ball but the Highlanders (1-1) kept things close and drew to within three points early in the second quarter following an Aigner Bookard free throw.

The home team grabbed its largest lead of the first half midway through the second quarter when Butler buried a jumper from beyond the arc to make it 27-17 at the 4:20 mark before a 3-pointer by Miller with five seconds left in the half kept the advantage at double digits heading into the break.

Harrisburg's offense came to after halftime, as the squad racked up 21 points in the third quarter. Cairn refused to go away, however, putting up 18 tallies in the third. Hemler's aggressive play in the paint, including an offensive rebound and putback with 14 seconds left in the quarter, was key to the Lions' extending the lead to 58-45 heading into the fourth.

The Highlanders tried to cut into the deficit in the final 10 minutes, drawing to within 10 with 5:53 left to play but the Blue & White kept the visitors at bay down the stretch to seal the team's third victory in as many outings.

Inside the Numbers

- Cairn shot 40 percent from the field, compared to a 32.4 percent output from the Lions.

- Penn State Harrisburg knocked down 10 shots from 3-point territory.

- The Blue & White won the rebounding battle 47-44.

- Harrisburg forced 25 turnovers, scoring 22 points off Cairn miscues.

- Madison Hemler posted her first double-double of the season, finishing with 14 points, 10 boards and four steals.

- Kendis Butler netted 14 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists and two steals. She also buried a game-high four 3-pointers.

- Rachel Miller connected on three buckets from beyond the arc en route to scoring 12 points.

- Shanique Mattis added 11 points, four rebounds and three steals.

- Abrianna Hamby was strong on the glass, pulling in seven boards to go along with four tallies.

- Dakota Hitchner netted a game-high 17 points for the Highlanders.

Who's Next?

The Lions return to action when they travel to Lebanon Valley on Tuesday night, Nov. 20.

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