Buffalo NY. – Penn State Harrisburg's women's basketball team got its 2013-14 season underway on Friday night, Nov. 15 by facing the tournament host Buffalo State in the opening round of the Betty Abgott Women's Basketball Invitational tip-off tournament.  The Lions were able to keep things tight for most of the first half, but the Bengal's eventually wore down the young Lions on way to a 75-52 win. 

Sophomore Mercedes Copeland (Reading, Pa. / Reading) was Penn State Harrisburg's high-scorer with thirteen points and also led in rebounds with 11 for her first double- double of the many too hopefully come this season.  Newcomer Rebecca Bailey (Tobyhanna, Pa. / Notre Dame of East Stroudsburg) made her collegiate entrance in style by scoring seven points in her first collegiate performance. 

Unfortunately Buffalo St. was ready to handle the early intensity that Harrisburg came prepared to bring to the border line.  Things stayed tight early, as the game was 11-7 with just 14:05 to go in the first half.  Then Buffalo used a 14-5 run to take a 25-12 lead with just under eight minutes to go in the half.  This run helped the home team to be able to go into the locker rooms with a 37-24 lead. 

In the second half the Blue and White Lions did what they could to keep things tight, but every small run they made was equally matched by Buffalo State to keep the game just a little too far out of reach for the Lions.  Junior team leader Hannah Jorich (Middletown, Pa / Middletown
) also had a good first game at the point guard position leading the team with 4 assist on the night. 

The Lions eventually fell 75-52 to the tournament host and now will play in the consolation game tomorrow at noon against Houghton.