Women's Hoops Can't Hang With Hot-Shooting Morrisville

ciani redd-howard dribbles the ball down the floor during a game against st. mary's (md.) in 2023

MORRISVILLE, N.Y. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's basketball team couldn't keep up with a hot-shooting Morrisville squad in a 79-68 road loss on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 4.

 

The conference-leading Mustangs (14-7, 10-2 United East) shot 54.8 percent from the floor and 44.4 percent from 3-point range; both outputs with which the Lions (12-9, 9-3 United East) couldn't keep pace. Ciani Redd-Howard scored a team-high 18 points, Bailey Oehmig finished with 15, and Jayla Galbreath added 11. 

 

The Lions erased an early 4-0 deficit and pulled ahead when Galbreath hit a 3-pointer early in the first quarter but Morrisville used an 8-0 run to take control midway through the frame and hold a 16-10 advantage after one.

 

The visitors pulled to within one possession early in the second when Kendis Butler went 3-for-3 from the foul line but the Mustangs hit a pair of 3-pointers to stretch the lead to seven. Oehmig answered back with consecutive treys to cut the deficit to 24-21 but the home team closed out the quarter with a small spurt and led 37-29 at the half.

 

Penn State Harrisburg had no answer for Morrisville's Brooke Hammersley after the break, as she netted 13 of her game-high 27 points in the third quarter, aiding her squad in building an 11-point advantage heading into the final stanza. 

 

The Lions fell behind by as many as 15 points in the final frame and while the team's press helped cut into the deficit, the unit couldn't match the offensive firepower of the Mustangs down the stretch. 

 

NOTABLES

- The Lions shot just 34.8 percent from the field and 30.3 percent from 3-point range. 

- Morrisville got to the free throw line 33 times, converting 25 of them.

- The Mustangs finished with a slight 35-34 edge in the rebounding department.

- Redd-Howard scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench.

- Oehmig finished with 15 points and four boards.

- Galbreath tallied 11 points and four rebounds.

- Giahny Correa dished out a game-high seven assists.

- Jenna Montana added six points and four assists in a reserve role.

 

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions will look to bounce back when they travel to Penn State Abington for another conference matchup on Wednesday night.

 

STAY CONNECTED

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