Hazleton moves to 3-1 in conference play with win over PSUGA

Hazleton, Pa. - The Nittany Lions picked up their third conference victory on Friday, notching an 80-49 win over Penn State Greater Allegheny in the Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium. Hazleton never trailed in this one as the Lions shot over 40 percent from the field and connected on 18-of-20 attempts from the free throw line, winning nearly every major statistical category on their way to the win and a 3-1 record in PSUAC play.

The Lions jumped out in front early and never looked back. A pair of lay ups from second year Brianna Kennedy helped the Lions to an 8-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game and Hazleton fourth year player Azaria Johnson slashed her way to the basket for 12 points in the period as Hazleton took a 22-10 lead after the first quarter. That trend continued in the second frame as the Lions held Greater Allegheny to just six points in the quarter. Hazleton ended the half on a 14 point run and got 10 points in the period from second year Topaz Williams-Fripp to build a 36 point cushion at the midway point. 

If there was one blemish on the night for the Lions' offense it was the third quarter. After shooting nearly 50 percent from the field as a team in the first two quarters, the Lions were ice cold after the halftime break. Hazleton managed just three field goals and six points in the quarter, allowing Greater Allegheny to trim the lead to less than 20 points late in the period. Greater Allegheny dominated the quarter to the tune of a 17 points and out-rebounded the Lions 14-6 in the third, giving themselves a chance with another run in the final period, but Hazleton bounced back with a steady flow of offense in the fourth quarter. Hazleton ended the threat with an 8-0 run to start the period and got three triples in the fourth quarter from Williams-Fripp and a seven point effort from first year Aislinn Chaffin that pushed the Lions out to their biggest lead of the night, ending the game with a 31 point victory.

Four Nittany Lions ended the game in double figures. Williams-Fripp's big fourth quarter effort had her topping the box score with a team-high 25 points with six rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocked shots. Johnson's effort in the first half led a 22 points effort on the night as she went 7-for-12 from the field with six boards and three assists while Kennedy notched a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Rounding out the top performances for Hazleton was Aislinn Chaffin who totaled 11 points with four assists and three steals in the win. 

Hazleton will end the fall semester with a two-game road trip out west. The Lions will head out to Penn State Fayette on Friday, December 13 for a 6:00 p.m. match up and then face off with Penn State Beaver on Saturday, December 14 at 1:00 p.m.