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.

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