Centenary (N.J.) 70, Penn State Harrisburg 59

Harrisburg Starters

Amey, Butler, Kubalak, Cade, Mahan

Centenary Starters

Escano, Bossert, Rowan, Jacobs, McKenzie

How It Happened

After jumping out to a sizeable advantage in the early going, Penn State Harrisburg was bogged down in the second half of a 70-59 loss at Centenary (N.J.) on Monday night, Dec. 30.

Four players reached the double-digit scoring mark, with Laurel Amey's 16 points leading the way. Anna Mahan just missed out on a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds, Kendis Butler netted 12 from beyond the arc and Macy Carroll added 10 off the bench.

The Lions (3-5) jumped out to a 13-3 lead behind strong starts from Mahan and Butler. The duo combined to score all 17 of the team's first-quarter points behind Mahan's post prowess and Butler's shooting from 3-point territory.

The Cyclones (5-3) responded and cut the deficit to three midway through the second quarter before five straight points from Amey stopped the home team's run. Paige Kubalak knocked down a jumper and Jayla Galbreath tallied the first points of her Penn State Harrisburg career at the foul line to give the visitors a 33-24 cushion at the break.

The third quarter saw the home team adjust, however, and outscore the Blue & White 27-9 during the period. Centenary (N.J.) netted the first nine points of the second half before putting together a momentum-changing 18-9 run over the final 6:44 of the quarter.

The Cyclones extended their lead to as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter but Amey did her best to keep the visitors in it. On five separate occasions in the final 7:18, she converted field goals or free throws to cut the deficit to single digits. Unfortunately, the Lions' comeback effort ran out of time as the home team converted seven foul shots down the stretch to seal the victory.

Inside the Numbers

- The Lions shot 37.9 percent from the field, compared to 41.4 percent shooting by Centenary (N.J.)

- Penn State Harrisburg was outrebounded 45-27.

- The Cyclones went 18-23 from the foul line, while the Blue & White finished just 6-10 from the charity stripe.

- The home team racked up 17 second-chance points.

- The Penn State Harrisburg bench outscored the Centenary (N.J.) reserves 12-4.

- Laurel Amey led the way with 16 points. She added four steals, two assists and a pair of rebounds.

- Anna Mahan flirted with a double-double, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and two assists.

- Kendis Butler buried four jumpers from 3-point territory to total 12 points. She added two steals and two boards.

- Macy Carroll connected on three triples and one free throw to tally 10 points.

- Jessica McKenzie's 14-point, 11-rebound double-double led the way for the Cyclones.

Who's Next?

The Lions open the New Year at Washington Adventist on Saturday night, Jan. 4.

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