MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's basketball team came up just short in a 65-62 overtime loss to Juniata in the program's annual Pride-Spirit-Honor Tournament Championship Game at the Capital Union Building on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 27.

Ciani Redd-Howard netted a team-high 15 points and grabbed six rebounds, Jayla Galbreath added 13 points and four assists, and Kendis Butler finished with 12 points and five boards. 

Following a rough shooting start that lasted for much of the first half, the Lions (3-4) clawed their way to their first lead of the game when Jenna Montana connected on a 3-pointer that made it 15-14 with 3:11 left in the second quarter. The Eagles (3-4) ended the frame on a 5-0 run to take a 19-15 advantage into halftime.

A pair of 3-balls from Butler put the home team back out in front on two occasions early in the third quarter but Juniata took advantage of the bonus and converted 10 consecutive free throws to pull back ahead before using a 7-4 spurt to take a 38-31 lead into the final stanza.

The Lions trailed by as many as nine in the fourth before putting together a furious rally that saw Redd-Howard bury back-to-back triples to cut the deficit to 50-49 with 2:59 remaining. A Galbreath driving layup and two free throws from Butler drew Penn State Harrisburg to within one with 35 seconds left before a forced turnover with eight ticks remaining set up a final chance.

Redd-Howard took the ball the length of the floor and was fouled attempting a 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds left to play. She knocked down one of her attempts to force an extra session.

In overtime, the Lions pulled ahead early thanks to a Montana backdoor finish off a Butler find and a free throw from the latter but the visitors reeled off five straight to pull ahead 59-57 at the 2:34 mark. 

Butler sank a corner 3-ball on the ensuing possession to put Penn State Harrisburg back in front and a Galbreath layup following two Juniata free throws kept the lead at one with less than a minute to play. 

After a steal by Bailey Oehmig in the final minute, the Lions had a chance to milk the clock but the Eagles took advantage of a Penn State Harrisburg miscue, drew a foul in transition, and converted a pair of foul shots with 16 seconds left to take the lead. After Juniata added two more free throws to stretch the lead to three with eight ticks remaining, the Lions were forced to settle for a contested attempt at the buzzer, allowing the Eagles to escape with the narrow win. 

NOTABLES

- The slim defeat was Penn State Harrisburg's third one-possession setback of the season.

- Foul shooting hurt the Lions, as they finished 10-for-21 from the charity stripe.

- The Eagles were stout at the foul line, going 27-of-33. 

- Juniata won the rebounding battle 51-37. 

- Penn State Harrisburg's bench outscored the Eagles' reserves 20-5.

- Redd-Howard netted 15 points to go along with six rebounds and two steals.

- Galbreath added 13 points, four assists, and four steals.

- Butler finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and a pair of assists.

- Montana chipped in with seven points, five rebounds, and two assists.

- Olivia Richardson had six points and six boards. 

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions begin conference play when they travel to Washington D.C. for a matchup with United East foe Gallaudet on Saturday, Dec. 3.

STAY CONNECTED

Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.