SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, PA- The Patriots took their 3-game winning streak to Penn State Schuylkill Thursday night for a 7PM tip-off with the Lady Lions. The Lady Lions came into the game with a 7-9 record, and back to back losses to Greater Allegheny and Beaver.
In the 1st quarter, the Lady Lions were first to score. The Patriots would jump to a 4 point lead on a Bailey Mayforth 3-pointer at 6:26. At 5:49, Jhanel Brown brought the lead up to 6. The 1st quarter ended with a 4 point lead for the Patriots, 14-10.
3 minutes into the 2nd quarter, Jhanel Brown 's jumper made the Patriots up 7. With 4:35 before the half, the Lady Lions would tie the score at 18. Seconds later, Schuylkill would take the lead, and not give it up. They led by as many as 8, but the Patriots ended the half with 2 free throws by Mikala Brinson, to go down 31-25.
The Patriots would play catch up in the 3rd quarter. With only 2:50 to go, they brought the lead down to 1. At the end of the quarter though, it would be 40-36 PSU Schuylkill.
Patience Ekuta hit a jumper to start the 4th, and the lead for the Lady Lions was just 2. The Lady Lions would continue to go ahead, but at 3:34 the lead was still reachable, 3. With 23 seconds left, Jhanel Brown hit 1 of 2 from the line, making it a 1 point game. They would hit both shots, and the Patriots would be forced to shoot from behind the arc. They would miss, and be forced to foul. The Lady Lions would hold on for the victory, 58-52.
Jhanel Brown led all players scoring a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Bailey Mayforth had 10 points.
The loss drops the Patriots to 13-10 on the season. They will finish up their regular season on Saturday, February 20th as they host Bryn Mawr at 1PM. This will be a Coaches vs. Cancer game as well as senior day. The Patriots lone senior is Patience Ekuta.
