Johnson reaches 1,000 point Milestone in weekend series vs. PSUAC West

Hazleton, Pa. - The Nittany Lions split their weekend road series vs. the PSUAC West on December 13 and 14, picking up a 65-45 win over Penn State Fayette on Friday, followed by a 78-54 defeat at the hands of Penn State Beaver. But the headline of the weekend was fourth year player Azaria Johnson who became the 12th player in Penn State Hazleton Basketball history to eclipse the 1,000 point mark for their career, completing the milestone in the fourth quarter of Friday's win at Fayette. 

Johnson has been a top player in the conference since she stepped foot on the Hazleton campus in 2021. She has been a staple in the Hazleton starting line up from day one, making 75 starts in 78 games played, racking up 2,430 minutes over her career and was named to the PSUAC All-Conference team in each of her three full seasons. Johnson reaches the milestone while routinely being one of the most unselfish and hard-working players on the floor. For her career she has built up a resume of 167 assists to go along with 162 steals while averaging 7.2 rebounds per game. While scoring is just one aspect of her game, she does it better than most. Johnson averaged 14.4 points per game as a first year player and has gone on to net a 13 point per game career average in her pursuit for the 1,000 mark. To make things more impressive, Johnson has reached the mark with maximum efficiency, shooting 56 percent from the field and sports a career 74.5 make-rate at the free throw line where she has registered 242 of her career points. With 12 regular season games to go, Johnson still has time to creep up the all-time scorers list but as is her character, Azaria Johnson will likely continue to push herself and her team towards a playoff berth as she wraps up her career. 

Friday, December 13: Penn State Hazleton 65, Penn State Fayette 45 - Final

After a slow start for both teams Hazleton scored the final 10 points of the first quarter and went on to win the first three periods of the night to build up a substantial lead against Fayette. First year player Aislinn Chaffin scored 12 of Hazleton's 28 points in the first half as the Lions turned 22 Fayette turnovers into a 13 advantage at the midway point. Chaffin struck for a triple as the second half kicked off, but it was Johns and second year Brianna Kennedy who would take Hazleton to the finish line. After a quiet first half, Kennedy sank 14 points in the third quarter, helping he Lions to their best output of the game and a 21 point advantage heading into the fourth quarter. There, Johnson took over the game, slashing to the hoop for five lay ups as Hazleton built their largest lead of the game at 28 points and her final lay up, notching career points 1,000 and 1,001. After a brief stoppage in play to recognize the achievement, Fayette would go on an 8-0 run to close the gap slightly but it was never in doubt as the Lions closed out the final three minutes with a 20 point margin of victory. 

Johnson, Kennedy and Chaffin did most of the heavy lifting on offense for Hazleton in the win. Johnson totaled 19 points and 10 rebounds with seven assists and five steals, all of which were team highs. Kennedy matched Johnson with 19 points, adding seven rebounds, four assists and three steals to her credit while Chaffin struck for 15 points and four steals in the win. 

Saturday, December 14: Penn State Hazleton 54, Penn State Beaver 74 - Final

The Lions were on point early in Saturday's game, taking it to the home team Beaver in their efforts for a two game sweep over the weekend. Hazleton jumped out to a big lead, ending the period on an 11-2 run. Brianna Kennedy and Aislinn Chaffin combined for 19 of Hazleton's 24 points in the quarter as Hazleton secured a 24-13 leading heading into the second but foul trouble was mounting for the Nittany Lions. Beaver took full advantage of the Lion's foul trouble, going on a 14-0 run early in the quarter. Hazleton maintained a slim lead but Beaver took control of the game late in the quarter, finishing the final three minutes of action on a 12-2 run, leaving Hazleton trailing 43-35 at halftime. Hazleton's Johnson and second year Topaz Williams-Fripp combined for 10 third quarter points, but it wasn't enough to keep pace with Beaver. The home team extended their lead to double figures in the third frame and shot over 53 from the field in the fourth quarter. Beaver's efficient play gave them a 24 point lead with just over two minutes to play as the home team cruised in the late stages for a 20 point win. 

Brianna Kennedy finished the afternoon with game-highs, going for 18 points and 20 rebounds in the loss. Williams-Fripp added a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds while Azaria Johnson totaled 11 points and four assists but all three of Hazleton's top performers were hampered with foul trouble and limited to some degree. In the end it was Beaver's second half shooting and forcing Hazleton into 31 turnovers that led to the Lion's demise.

The loss drops Hazleton to 4-2 in PSUAC play and the Lions enter the holiday break in the fourth position in the crowded Eastern Division. Hazleton will be back in action on Tuesday, January 14 when the Lions host Penn State York in the Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium at 6:00 p.m.