The Shippensburg University women’s basketball team could not keep pace with Millersville University on Wednesday evening, as the squad was defeated 83–74 in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) division contest at home.
The Raiders got 22 points in the first half from Ariel Jones, but the standout sophomore went down with an injury at the end of the third quarter and did not return to the game.
SU shot 58 percent in the final quarter despite Jones’ absence. However, the Marauders shot 67 percent in the quarter and 59 percent in the second half overall.
Freshman front-court duo Aunbrielle Green and Lauren Pettis combined for 16 rebounds, with Green tying her career-high with 21 points and Pettis recording a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards. It was Pettis’ sixth double-double of the season.
Aunbrielle Green looks to score in the post against a Lock Haven defender.
MU was led by guard Lauren Lister as she tallied 38 points with 15 points in the final frame on 100 percent shooting in the quarter. Millersville also got contributions from Courtney Dimoff as she posted 21 points with five three pointers.
Jones is now just 40 points shy of alumna Tracy Spencer’s single-season scoring record with 630 points. It was her 20th game of the season eclipsing 20 points.
Freshman Dah’Naija Barnes played a season-high 20 minutes off the bench for SU and posted two points, four rebounds, a pair of steals and an assist. Sophomore Kryshell Gordy added eight points, six boards and two assists.
SU looked to get back on track in its next contest on Saturday afternoon from Heiges Field House on alumni day, but the Raiders dropped another PSAC game, this time to Lock Haven University by a score of 65-50.
Shippensburg was playing without leading scorer Jones due to injury, and the Raiders struggled to score without her on the floor. They shot just 17 percent from three-point range and 30 percent overall.
The visiting Bald Eagles raced out to a 23–10 lead at the end of the first quarter and extended that to a 22-point lead at halftime.
LHU had a 58–34 rebound advantage over SU in the contest, which included 25 offensive rebounds, leading to 24 second-chance points.
The Bald Eagles were led by Rileigh Devine, who scored 14 points, and Bink Redman, who pulled down an impressive 18 rebounds.
The Raiders were led in scoring by Green, who posted 14 points along with five rebounds and three blocks. Pettis also recorded three blocks, while putting up 10 points and grabbing six boards.
In her first career start, Barnes scored a career-high five points, grabbed three rebounds, and recorded a block and a steal. Gordy only played 16 minutes in the game as she was battling illness. Sophomore Emily Houck started in her place.
Speaking on her team’s numerous injuries and the struggles to overcome them, SU coach Kristy Trn said, “We’re a young team and especially with Ariel Jones, who has been our leader off the floor, it was a little difficult for the young group to come together. Kryshell Gordy is another leader who has been battling illness for the past few days and it has sort of zapped the team’s energy.”
There are two weeks remaining in the regular season, and the Raiders are holding onto the sixth and final playoff spot in the PSAC Eastern Division. They hold a half-game lead over East Stroudsburg University.
SU will return to action this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Mansfield University.
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