Second straight overtime game ends in victory for no. 2 Lady Lions
HAZLETON, Pa. - Two days after falling to Penn State Lehigh Valley in double-overtime, Penn State Hazleton's women's basketball team bounced back with a 64-57 overtime win over Penn State Wilkes-Barre. The Lady Lions (13-2, 7-1 PSUAC), ranked no. 2 in the latest USCAA Coaches Poll, were able to fend off Wilkes-Barre to complete the season sweep. Hazleton won, 59-45, on the road on Dec. 12.
Senior Taylor Cannon (Hazleton, Pa.) scored a season-high 22 points and pulled in 11 rebounds to post her second double-double of the season. Junior Alexis Daly (Wyalusing, Pa.) added 13 points and10 rebounds, her eighth double-double of the season. Sophomore Stephanie Guevara (North Brunswick, NJ) added 13 points and eight rebounds, while senior Christine Soltys (Milton, Pa.) dished out six assists to go along with nine points.
Despite three starters in double-figures, Hazleton struggled from the field for the second straight game, posting only their fourth game shooting under 40 percent, and second in a row. Hazleton shot 23-for-62, including 3-for-10 from behind the arc.
Defense, however, was the theme of the night for the Lady Lions. Hazleton forced 24 turnovers and blocked four shots in holding Wilkes-Barre to 27 percent shooting. Wilkes-Barre won the battle of the boards, 55-49, but Hazleton scored 21 points off of turnovers, six more than their opponents, in a game that saw eight ties and nine lead changes.
Breana Moore scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while teammate Jacqueline Rabender added 13 points and 11 rebounds to lead Wilkes-Barre (5-8, 2-5 PSUAC).
Hazleton continues conference play on Wednesday, January 21 as they travel to Penn State Worthington Scranton for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off.