Wilkes 67, Penn State Harrisburg 64  

Harrisburg Starters

Mattis, Miller, Amey, Butler, and Mahan

Wilkes Starters

Kelley, Alfano, Caster, Giordano, and Roberts

How It Happened

Penn State Harrisburg Women's Basketball's fourth quarter rally fell just short as the Lions fell 67-64. Shanique Mattis scored a game high 23 points and Kendis Miller added 14 points. 

After falling behind by seven early, the Lions would get their offense started when Shanique Mattis connected on deep three-pointer. Moments later Rachel Miller would connect from deep, cutting the lead to three. Later in the quarter, Kendis Butler would get fouled on a three-point attempt and knock down all three free throws to cut the deficit to two. The Colonels ended the quarter on a 6-0 run, holding a 21-13 lead entering the second quarter.

Anna Mahan would get the Lions going in the second quarter, completing a three-point play. After forcing a turnover, Mattis would storm to the basket for a layup, pulling the Lions back within 7. Mahan and Miller would connect on two straight threes to cut the deficit to one. Briana Davis would then find Mattis of a wide open three, to give the Lions their first lead of the game and cap off a 14-0 run. Wilkes would answer back, and hold a three point advantage entering the half, 32-29.

Wilkes will stretch the lead to 10 in the fourth quarter despite the best efforts of Mattis, who scored eight points and set the defense tone with a thunderous block early in the quarter. The Lions entered the final quarter trailing 53-43.

Early in the fourth, Butler would hit two three-pointers from the left corner of the floor to help the Lions close within eight points. After Wilkes extended their lead to 12, Butler would against strike, knocking down her third three-pointer of the quarter. Laurel Amey and Mattis would record back-to-back steal and scores to cut the Colonels lead to five. Mattis would add a free throw to close within four, but the Colonels would hit a three with 29.9 seconds remaining to extend the lead back to seven. Mattis would answer immediately with a three of her own off an in bounce play. Mattis would then come away with a steal and earn a trip to the foul line for two key free throws to close with two. After a Wilkes free throw made it a three point game, Mattis would miss a tying three point attempt, but Madison Hemler would battle for the loose ball to give the Lions a final chance. Harrisburg would be unable to connect on the buzzer beating three, falling 67-64.

Inside the Numbers

- Shanique Mattis would lead the Lions in scoring with 23 points, including five three-pointers

- Kendis Butler scored 11 of her 14 points in the fourth quarter

- The Colonels won the battle on the glass, 44-25

- Harrisburg's aggressive defense came away with 12 steals and forced 23 Colonels turnovers

- The Lions have now made 75 three-point shots this season, ranking in the top five nationally as a team

Who's Next?

The Lions are back in action when they travel to Gweynedd Mercy on Wednesday December 5 at 5 p.m.

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