Penn State Harrisburg 64, Southern Virginia 53

Harrisburg Starters                                                          

Mattis, Amey, Butler, Hamby, and Mahan

Southern Virginia Starters

Stout, Ballam, Christensen, Barnes, Garrish

How It Happened

Penn State Harrisburg Women's Basketball outscored Southern Virginia 24-7 in the fourth quarter to pull off the road upset of the Capital Athletic Conference leaders, snapping their 15-game winning streak. Shanique Mattis recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Kendis Butler also scored 17 points, connecting on four three-pointers including three in the fourth quarter.

Mattis would get the Lions offense started, finding Abrianna Hamby for the opening basket of the game. She would then connect on a layup and corner three-pointer to keep pace with Knights. Southern Virginia took control going on an 8-0 run to close out the opening quarter holding a nine point advantage.

The Lions would respond in the second quarter, by using full court pressure, slowing the Knights offensive attack. The Lions were double and triple teaming Knights star forward and former national player of the week Katie Garrish, limiting her contributions on the offensive end. Butler would cut into the deficit connecting on a three-pointer and drawing a foul to complete a four-point play. Trailing by six, Laurel Amey would find a wide open Rachel Miller in the corner for the three-pointer. Briana Davis came up with a thunderous block under the basket and found Mattis for a transition layup tying the game at 19. After falling behind by two, Butler came away with a steal, finding Amey in transition for a layup and she drew a foul converting the three-point play to give the Lions a one-point lead. Anna Mahan connected a three-pointer on the next possession growing the lead. Southern Virginia would battle back to recapture 33-27 advantage heading into the half.

Both teams started the third quarter strong, with Mattis scoring on a pair of layups and Mahan connecting on another three-pointer. The Knights would answer each basket eventually building an 11-point advantage. Mahan and Miller had an answering drilling back-to-back to keep the Lions in striking distance entering the final quarter.

Midway through the final quarter, the Lions three-point attack would come alive with Amey and Butler converting back-to-back three's to pull Harrisburg within a single point. After another block by Davis, Butler would connect on her third three-pointer for the quarter to give the Lions a 52-50 lead with 4:33 remaining in the game. Aireo Payne would find Mattis in transition for a layup, increasing the advantage to four. After the Knights pulled with two points, Mattis would connect on a pair of free throws with 32.4 seconds remaining, giving the Lions a two possession lead. Harrisburg forced a turnover on the ensuing in bounce pass, with Laurel Amey coming away with the loss ball and going to the foul line where she connect on a pair of free throws. The Knights were unable to connect on several deep three-point attempts and the Lions would add couple more free throws putting the game out of reach and completing the upset, 64-53.

Inside the Numbers                                                                

- Shanique Mattis recorded her second double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds. She also added 6 steals

- Kendis Butler scored 17 points, none more important than her three-pointer with 4:33 remaining in the final quarter, putting the Lions ahead for good

- Laurel Amey reached double figures, scoring 11 points

- Anna Mahan added 10 points, including connecting twice from behind the arc

- Briana Davis filled the stat sheet, coming away with 16 rebounds and 4 blocks

- As a team the Lions came away with 19 offensive rebounds

- The Knights were led by Katie Garrish who scored 10 points and pulled in 20 rebounds

- The Lions added ten more three's bring their season total to 203 this season, entering the day ranked third in the category nationally

Who's Next?

The Lions will be back on the road when they travel to York (Pa.) on Wednesday night, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m.

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