The Shippensburg University women’s basketball team posted one win and one loss this week. The Raiders played their first game of the week away at Millersville on Wednesday evening and fell short of the Marauders, 57-53. The second game of the week was a home game in Heiges Field House Saturday afternoon where the Raiders beat Kutztown, 66-57.
On Wednesday evening, Shippensburg saw a strong start that maintained itself throughout the first half of the game. The Raiders led by eight going into the second quarter and led by two going into halftime.
It was a slow start from both Shippensburg and Millersville at the beginning of the third quarter, both teams fought back and forth trying to gain a lead. Millersville gained a lead of three moving into the final quarter of the game.
Millersville held a minor lead over Shippensburg for the majority of the fourth quarter. Shippensburg continued to keep up. With just over three minutes left of the game, freshman Bella Chimienti scored a layup shot giving Shippensburg a one point lead.
Both teams continued to fight. A shot by graduate Treasure George tied the game, 53-53, with just under a minute and a half remaining. Millersville used the shot clock to give themselves a lead of four with 11 seconds remaining, winning 57-53.
The Raiders came very close to a win over the Marauders. Coach Trn said, “We have been focusing on fundamentals, basketball IQ and decision making, and we are starting to make some significant progress that hopefully will make a difference in the remaining games and into next season.”
The team began to see the progress Trn spoke about at their pink-out and alumni game Saturday afternoon against Kutztown.
Sophomore Ellie Goodwin opened the scoring with a basket and drew a foul. Over the duration of the first quarter Kutztown stretched its lead 11-5, but the Raiders went on a 5-0 run. The Raiders entered the second quarter with a one point deficit.
It was a tough fight for Shippensburg throughout the second quarter. Kutztown had a 9-point lead going into halftime.
The Raiders came back from an 11-point deficit late in the third quarter to tie the game, 40-40.
Freshman Alexis Buie scored a basket to start the fourth quarter. The Raiders led by 1-point for the first time since the opening score of the game. Shippensburg and Kutztown traded scores back and forth through the beginning of the quarter. With just under six minutes remaining, consecutive baskets from George and Goodwin gave Shippensburg a 50-46 lead.
Shippensburg secured its lead with a layup and 3-point shot by freshman Mia Johnson. The Raiders won the game 66-57.
The Shippensburg women’s basketball team’s next game is away at Mansfield on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.
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