2016-17 Women's Basketball Schedule Announed
Hazleton, Pa. - Following two consecutive seasons with runner-up finishes in the Penn State University Athletic Conference, the Lady Lions return to the court in the fall of 2016 looking to break the trend of past seasons and capture the coveted PSUAC title. Last season Hazleton was a top five team in nearly every major statistical category and led the conference in points allowed and assists, resulting in a 22-5 overall record and a second consecutive appearance at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Tournament. After claiming coach of the year honors in his first season, Head Coach Paul Appel returns at the helm of Lady Lion basketball, intent on continuing the team's championship caliber play.
The Lady Lions lost just one contest in the fall of 2015 and will earn a rematch this season against the NCAA Division III Warriors of Lycoming College. Both teams will square off on November 17 in the Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium where the Lady Lions have touted a 21-5 record since 2014. Also in non-conference action, Hazleton will hit the road, traveling north to meet the Colonels of Wilkes University. Hazleton nearly knocked off the NCAA Division III rival last winter, making this season's contest on January 30 a most anticipated matchup.
One team stood between the Lady Lions and their first conference championship in program history, Penn State Beaver. After handing Hazleton their only conference loss in the final game of the 2015-16 regular season, Beaver went on to complete an astounding second half comeback in the PSUAC finals, earning their third straight title in the process. This year, both teams will collide on December 2 at Penn State Beaver in what will be the first conference game of the year. Other conference hopefuls will be eager to test their skill against one of the league's most talented squads. The weekend of February 3 will be one fans don't want to miss as the Lady Lions take on two such hopefuls at home against Penn State Brandywine and Penn State Lehigh Valley as they enter the final leg of the regular season.