No. 12 Ranked Schuylkill Runs Past Hazleton Lady Lions

After a week long layoff thanks to Old Man Winter, basketball finally returned to Dr. Thomas M. Cacesse Gymnasium last night.  Unfortunately, the Lady Lions of Hazleton were no match for the Lady Lions of Schuyklill.  Showing why they are ranked 12th in the nation, Schuykll overpowered Hazleton from start to finish easily winning the game 81-54.  Playing with a short bench due to player illness, Hazleton was no match for Schuylkill, who had five players hit for double figures.  Schuylkill was led by Alyssa Gerbers' 18 points and 11 rebounds while McKenna Rushannon was close behind with 14 points and 12 rebounds.  Teammates Morgan Edge (13 points-9 rebounds), Caitria Bowen (12 points-8 rebounds), and Chase Stokes (10 points-9 rebounds)  all pitched in for the rout. Hazleton was led by Kendra Pfeil's 16 points and 8 rebounds as well as Mckenzie Prutsman tossing in 12 points and pulling down 8 reboounds and Shelby Berger adding 11 poings and 9 rebounds.

Schuylkill's height advantage in the paint was huge as they outrebounded Hazlton 77-41.  Schuylkill's players also had the hot hand from the floor shooting 39% to Hazleton's 24%.  On the defensive side ot the ball, Schuylkill held Hazlton to a season low 16 points in the first half of play. Hazleton played a much stronger second half, and Schuylkill emptied the bench in the fourth quarter, but the margin of difference was too large for the Lady Lions to overcome.

The loss drops Hazleton to 2-3 in the conference and 5-6 overall while Schuylkill continues to cruise with a 6-1 conference record and is 11-3 overall.  Hazleton returns to action Tuesday night travelling to Penn State Wilkes-Barre for a 6:00 tip off.