Kaitlyn Carmo (Palmyra, Pa. / Palmyra) proved to herself and the rest of the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) today that she is one of the best guards in the conference. Carmo led the Lions by scoring 28 points in their 60-54 loss to the St. Mary's (Md.) Eagles on Saturday February 1st.
Carmo has been having a tremendous rookie season with her aggressive, but poised play from the shooting guard position. She currently leads the Blue and White in points, steals, field goal and three point percentages. She is also the second in rebounding only behind Kiara Carter (Bronx, N.Y. / Milton Hershey) who helped the team out today with six. Lucky Snypse (Philadelphia, Pa. / George Washington Carver) gave strong numbers off the bench to lead the team with nine rebounds while Hannah Jorich (Middletown, Pa. / Middletown) and Carmo were the assist leaders, each passing the ball off for three.
Harrisburg started the first half strong by jumping out to an early 19-8 lead in the first nine minutes of play. Snypse used at layup with 7:10 to play to go up 21-12 before the Eagle's started to claw back. They used a 13-2 run over a six minute period to tie things up at 25 with a minute to go in the half.
After starting the half tied at 27 apiece, both teams picked up the intensity and would not allow any big runs this half. With just less than ten minutes to go things remained tied at 42. Things stayed tight the entire half as both teams exchanged bucket for bucket with neither team getting more than a three point lead.
Both teams had their chance to win the game in the end, but in the final minute the Eagles used four straight free throws to finally break the three point margin and pull out the 60-54 win. The win gives the Eagles in a two game cushion for the final playoff spot.
The loss for the Lions will force them to get hot quickly and win on the road if they hope to stay in the playoff race as the final stretch of the season is upon us. Harrisburg travel's to Frostburg St. Wednesday February 5th. The Lions are one game back on the Bearcats in what is likely a must win for both squads if they plan on keeping their playoff hopes alive.