Shippensburg University women’s basketball dropped its first road match of the season Saturday, slipping to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), 69–59.
The Raiders opened the first half neck and neck with IUP, with no team able to get a strong advantage. SU guard Lauren Gold opened up the long range game for SU, sinking three 3-pointers while tacking on a pair of assists.
IUP’s defense was strong against the Raiders, blocking seven shots to prevent Shippensburg from lighting up the scoreboard. The Raiders and the Crimson Hawks were virtually even in every other statistical category, with IUP carrying a 28–27 lead into the second half.
SU forward Stephanie Knauer’s game caught fire in the second half, knocking down 15 points after being held scoreless in the first half. Knauer also tacked on four rebounds and a steal.
The third quarter made the difference for the Crimson Hawks, as the team pulled away from SU, dropping 24 points to the Raiders’ 10.
The game began to slip away for the Raiders as IUP guard Megan Smith took off on the score sheet. Smith scored 25 of the Crimson Hawks’ 69 points, burying the Raiders chances at a comeback. Smith went 8–13 from the field and added nine free throws.
Shippensburg’s shooting percentage balanced out in the second half, but SU was not able to compete with IUP’s 60 percent from the field. IUP’s rebound game gave Shippensburg trouble all game, defensive rebounds skewed tremendously in the Crimson Hawks’ favor. IUP walked away with the advantage in rebounds, 36–31.
Shippensburg’s loss to IUP drops the team to 5–2 on the season, as the team prepares to take on its toughest matchup of the season.
The Raiders traveled to Seton Hill University Sunday to matchup with the Griffins. Next weekend, the Raiders will travel to California University of Pennsylvania, to take on the third-ranked team in the nation.
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