The Women’s basketball team clinched a first round bye in a 60-42 win over their rival, Bloomsburg University, this past Wednesday at Hieges Field House.

There were plenty of story lines headed into this evening. On top of the night playing host to a wish reveal at half time, Shippensburg University also had a chance to clinch a first round bye in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) tournament with a win or a Millersville University loss. The night also played host to senior night for the ladies lone senior, Shaniece Jackson.

Jackson got the ladies started on the first play of the game, feeding Morgan Griffith in the paint. Griffith finished the play for the Raiders, putting them up 2-0.

The two squads battled back and forth for a majority of the first quarter, but it was Shippensburg who held a four-point lead at the conclusion. The second quarter followed a similar theme, with both Bloomsburg and Shippensburg posting 10 points in the frame.

Out of the gates in the third, Lauren Gold and Griffith increased the Shippensburg lead to nine points. Griffith converted a layup in the paint and a Gold three-pointer on the ensuing possession. Bloomsburg would draw to within five off of an Adreana Sadowski layup at the seven-minute mark, but Shippensburg closed the quarter out on an 8-2 run, putting them up 41-30.

The fourth quarter saw Bloomsburg score the first four points to draw within seven of the Raiders. It looked as if the Huskies had a nice run forming, but then Gold took over.

With Shippensburg leading 41-34, Gold ended any hope of a Husky run with a three-pointer from the corner. After a steal by junior Logan Synder on the following Husky possession, it was once again Gold with a wide open look from long range. She drained the shot to go back to back, and all of the sudden Shippensburg’s lead was now 13. The Raiders held at least a double-digit lead for the remainder, and outscored the Huskies 19-8 over the last eight minutes.

The win is just Shippensburg’s 2nd over their last 12 meetings with Bloomsburg. Ship does hold the all-time series lead, though with a record of 31-25 against the Huskies.

In her first career start, Shaniece Jackson had an assist, four rebounds and two points on an efficient 50 percent shooting. Her four rebounds contributed to the Raiders 41 on the evening. Bloomsburg finished with only 26.

Haley Scullion was back to her old ways, coming off the bench in the contest. Scullion posted 11 points on the evening from 5-of-9 shooting. She also tied her career high in blocks with three and grabbed four steals.

The Raider defense also stepped up to hold the Huskies Adreana Sadowski to only 10 points in Wednesday’s contest. Sadowski had a Bloomsburg record 43 points in the first meeting where Bloom handled Ship 88-62.

Millersville did lose to East Stroudsburg University, Wednesday night before the conclusion of the ladies contest, essentially making the result of the game irrelevant, but thanks to the win, Shippensburg now holds a two-game winning streak headed into the PSAC tournament.

Shippensburg will face the winner of Millersville-Lock Haven University this Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at Hieges Field House.

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