Lancaster, PA – The Penn State Harrisburg Women's Basketball team used a late rally to win a thrilling non-conference match up against Lancaster Bible. The Lions would use a 20-3 run over the last six minutes of the fourth quarter to overcome an 11-point deficit. Shanique Mattis led the Lions with a career high 23 points. Harrisburg also got a strong performance from Briana Davis, who hit a couple timely three-pointers.
Penn State Harrisburg 64 vs. Lancaster Bible 58
Penn State Harrisburg Starters:
Tessa Dolce, Briana Davis, Janel Brown, Shanique Mattis, and Laurel Amey
Lancaster Bible Starters:
Hickey, Goyak, Steiner, Boger, and Webster
Records:
Lancaster Bible: 4-4
Penn State Harrisburg: 3-6
Inside The Stats:
Field Goals: Penn State Harrisburg (27-55) vs. Lancaster Bible (21-55)
Assists: Harrisburg (13) vs. Lancaster Bible (14)
Turnovers: Harrisburg (21) vs. Lancaster Bible (17)
Rebounds: Harrisburg (31) vs. Lancaster Bible (24)
How it Happened:
Harrisburg's Shanique Mattis made a strong opening statement, knocking down a three-point shot on the first possession of the game. The Lions and the Chargers trade baskets for most of the first quarter, with the Chargers taking a 4-point advantage at the end of the quarter. The Chargers would grow that lead to nine with just over a minute remaining in the first half, when Harrisburg would answer. Laurel Amey would finish a layup on a breakaway to cut into the deficit. Mattis would close the half with two more layups to go into the break down just three points.
Mattis would pick up where she left off to start the second knocking down three consecutive shots to give the Lions the led, 35-33. The Chargers would answer and with 6:01 remaining in the fourth quarter, had built an 11-point lead. Out of a timeout, Amey and Briana Davis would make three-pointers on back to back possessions to cut into the lead. The Lions continued battling and with 1:30 remaining would take control of the game. Harrisburg would swing the ball around the three point arc with Davis finding Janel Brown in the corner for the tying three-pointer. Moments later, Amey and Mattis would trap the Chargers guard in her own end, with Mattis coming away with the steal. Mattis as she done all game, drove to the basket and knocked down the short pull up jump shot to give the Lions the lead. Harrisburg would force a turnover and Mattis would drive, collapsing the defense and find Jada Pettis in the lane for the easy lay-up securing the victory.
Impact Performance:
Shanique Mattis- 23 Points
Briana Davis- 13 Points
Coach Thoughts:
After the game, Head Coach Ross Patrick said, "Tonight we won because of our resolve and composure. Basketball is a game of runs and Lancaster Bible had a couple big ones in the second half, but we leaned on our defense and trusted each other in our zone defense and found each other for some open looks that led to a few runs of our own. This was our 9th consecutive game with double digit assists, and a lot of those passes landed in the hands of our Junior guard Shanique who was dynamic tonight with a career high 23 points on 10-15 shooting. Now our girls head into finals then a quick back to back before heading home for break. A good road win for sure!"
What's Next:
Penn State Harrisburg will have a couple days off for finals before returning to action on the road at Clarks Summit on December 18th at 5:00 PM.
