The Shippensburg University women’s basketball team lost Sunday afternoon at Seton Hill University in overtime 70–67. This was the Raiders third loss in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
SU (5–3, 1–3 PSAC) came out firing on all cylinders going on an 11–0 run and having Seton Hill (5–3, 3–1) on its heels early. It was an effective first half in which the Raiders shot 50 percent from the floor and 16-of-17 from the free-throw line. The 16 free throws mark the most the Raiders have made in a half since they made 18 against Cheyney in 2014. The Raiders led by 16 points going into the second half.
The narrative changed for the Raiders in the second half. Going into the second half up 39–23, the Seton Hill Griffins came roaring back with a 47–28 second half effort. SU scored the first basket to start the second half to take their largest lead of 18. The Griffins then went on a 15–3 run to cut the lead to 44–38 with 2:51 left in the third quarter. Jenna Kaufman of Seton Hill scored nine of the 15 points during the run. SU struggled to hold on to the lead and went into the final frame leading 48–41.
After two SU free throws in the fourth, Griffins drained a three with back-to-back layups to cut the lead to one at 52–51 with 5:24 to play. Later in the game, the Griffins took their first lead of the game 57–56 with 2:10 left in regulation, but the Raiders hit one of two on the free-throw line to tie the game at 57. SU’s Stephanie Knauer hit two more free throws to retake the lead at 59-57 and the Griffins called timeout with just five seconds left.
Seton Hill rebounded the ball and attempted a 3-point shot and missed, but an offensive put-back by Alex Hay at the buzzer took the game into overtime.
In overtime, it was a slugfest to the last minute as the Raiders took a one point lead with 18 seconds left after a great three-point play set up by senior Logan Snyder. Seton Hill fought back and got a bucket from Hay to once again take the lead. The Raiders had two final chances to extend the game and were unsuccessful, missing on their last two possessions.
Knauer lead the way for the Raiders with 22 points, coming off a strong first half with 13 points. SU also had four players score in double figures.
SU will look to bounce back on Saturday at 3 p.m. when they travel to California to face the No.3-ranked Vulcans.
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