Shippensburg University’s women’s basketball team dropped a pair of home games this weekend, falling to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) 65-50 on Friday before a 70-59 loss to Seton Hill University on Saturday. The results moved the Raiders’ record to 1-6 on the year, along with 0-2 in PSAC play.

Friday’s contest saw Shippensburg keep it close throughout the first half, but a disastrous third quarter was the main difference.

The teams combined for seven lead changes in the first quarter, with IUP making a three-pointer with five seconds left in the period to go up 18-17 after one. The Crimson Hawks controlled the second quarter, finishing on a 7-2 run to take a 36-29 lead at the half.

The Raiders’ second half got off to an abysmal start, as the team did not score a single point for the first 9:42 of the third quarter. IUP went on a 16-0 run during this time as Shippensburg missed its first 15 field goals of the half. Shippensburg outscored IUP 19-12 in the fourth quarter, cutting the final deficit to 15 in a 65-50 loss.

Freshman Bella Chimienti led the Raiders in scoring for the contest, putting up 11 points on 5-14 shooting. The team shot 30% from the field for the game, including only 2-13 on three-pointers, well below their season average of 38.2%.

Speaking on the defeat, head coach Kristy Trn said, “We’re having a hard time finding a way to put the ball in the basket. I thought we had some pretty good opportunities at the rim and on some open shots and we just haven’t been able to knock them down yet this year.”

Saturday’s matchup saw Seton Hill get off to a hot start, making six threes in the first quarter as part of a 31-point period, the most Shippensburg has allowed in any quarter this season. The Raiders had a strong second quarter though, cutting the deficit to 40-36 before the Griffins hit a three in the final second to go up seven at the half.

Seton Hill used an 11-0 run to take a 14-point lead midway through the third quarter, but the Raiders fought back, making it 60-53 entering the fourth. Both offenses stalled out in the final period though, with Seton Hill holding Shippensburg to just six points in the quarter, winning 70-59.

Graduate student Treasure George put up a season-high 22 points to lead the team, along with grabbing eight rebounds. Junior Taja Colbert and Chimienti both scored in double-figures as well, putting up 12 and 11 points each, respectively.

Speaking on what can be improved for the rest of the PSAC schedule, Trn said “We’re young and we’re trying to learn every time we’re out here. We’ve got to continue to come together defensively and not have as many breakdowns. We struggle on very short, easy putbacks, and those plays end up being the difference.”

Shippensburg women’s basketball has one game this week, a nonconference matchup at Chestnut Hill, which tips off at 7 p.m. Wednesday night.

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