LANCASTER, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's basketball team held off a late charge from Lancaster Bible on Saturday night, secured a thrilling 63-58 road victory over the team's United East rival, and clinched the final spot in the conference's upcoming postseason tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Penn State Harrisburg (16-8, 11-5 United East) made the plays it needed down the stretch to hold off a late charge from Lancaster Bible (13-12, 10-6 United East) in a de facto playoff game on Saturday night.
Ciani Redd-Howard ed the way with a 15-point, 10-rebound double, while Anna Mahan recorded a double-double of her own with 10 points and a dozen boards. Jenna Montana netted 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds and Giahny Correa added eight points off the bench.
Following a Montana 3-ball that put the Lions up 58-49 with 5:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, the home team reeled off seven straight to pull to within 58-56 with less than two minutes left to play.
Redd-Howard converted a free throw to push the lead back to three with 1:05 left and Montana shrugged off a foul to finish a layup and make it 61-58 with 37 seconds to play. The visitors got a key stop on the other end, with Mahan pulling down a game-sealing rebound and knocking down a pair of free throws with 11 seconds left to put it out of reach.
The Blue & White shot well from distance to begin the game and jumped out to an early 11-3 advantage. The Lions stretched the lead to 31-18 midway through the second quarter following a pair of Jayla Galbreath free throws and Kendis Butler buried a triple to make it 37-27 heading into halftime.
NOTABLES
- With the win, the Lions secured the No. 3 seed in next weekend's United East Championship Tournament.
- The Lions shot 32.3 percent from the field and 21.4 percent from beyond the arc.
- Lancaster Bible shot 39.7 percent from the floor and 23.8 percent from 3-point range.
- The Blue & White did their damage at the charity stripe, getting to the foul line 27 times.
- The Chargers turned it over 24 times, leading to 14 points for the visitors.
- Ciani Redd-Howard led the way with a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double.
- Anna Mahan had a double-double of her own with 10 points and a dozen boards.
- Jenna Montana finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.
- Giahny Correa added eight points off the bench.
- Jayla Galbreath had seven points and three assists.
- Kendis Butler scored five points.
- Jade Eshelman netted a game-high 19 points for Lancaster Bible.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions are the No. 3 seed in next weekend's United East Championship Tournament. Penn State Harrisburg will face No. 2 SUNY Morrisville at Gallaudet on Friday night, Feb. 25. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using the handle @pshbgathletics.