MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – Penn State Harrisburg's women's basketball team used a strong second half to pull away from St. Mary's (Md.) and advance to the United East Championship Game with a 71-54 victory in semifinal action at Morrisville on Friday night, Feb. 24.

Bailey Oehmig netted a team-high 14 points and finished one rebound shy of a double-double, while Ciani Redd-Howard recorded a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double. Jayla Galbreath finished with 13 points and Kendis Butler added nine of her own.

Trailing 26-22 at halftime, the Lions (17-9) opened the second half with layups from Butler and Makayla Claggett before putting together a key 16-5 run to close out the third quarter's final five minutes. Jenna Montana hit a pair of crucial 3-pointers during the spurt and Oehmig scored seven points to give Penn State Harrisburg a 45-36 advantage heading into the final period.

A Redd-Howard free throw to open the fourth stretched the lead to 10 and she added a 3-ball to make it 54-42 with 6:07 left to play. After a pair of Oehmig free throws and a Galbreath triple, Syndey Hemler converted a foul shot to give the Lions their largest lead of the night at 61-42.

United East Player of the Year Karon Williams did her best to keep the Seahawks in it, scoring 12 of her game-high 22 points in the final stanza but Butler slowed the momentum by knocking down a pair of free throws to keep the lead at 16 with two minutes remaining. Williams hit another layup but Olivia Richardson answered with one of her own before Butler put the game on ice with two more from the charity stripe with 47 seconds left to play.

St. Mary's (Md.) got out to a 13-7 lead to begin the game but back-to-back jumpers from Galbreath and Richardson cut the deficit to two after the first quarter. Penn State Harrisburg scored six straight to open the second quarter and pull ahead 17-13 but the Seahawks answered with a 9-0 run before the Lions pulled to within four heading into the break.

NOTABLES

- With the win, Penn State Harrisburg advances to the United East Championship Game for the first time in program history.

- The Lions shot 34.9 percent from the field but held St. Mary's (Md.) to 30.3 percent shooting from the floor.

- Penn State Harrisburg won the rebounding battle 49-43.

- The Lions got to the free throw line 33 times, converting 20 attempts.

- Oehmig led the way with 14 points and nine rebounds. She went 5-for-5 from the foul line.

- Redd-Howard recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

- Galbreath netted 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting and added two steals.

- Butler finished with nine points, knocked down four free throws, and grabbed three boards.

- Montana added six points off the bench, while Hemler pulled down six rebounds in a reserve role.

- Giahny Correa swiped a game-high four steals and Claggett chipped in with five points off the bench.

- Richardson and Mikayla Wright combined for eight points and five boards.

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions face top-seeded Morrisville in Saturday's United East Championship Game. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED

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