Crusaders Earn Win Over Rival Lycoming

SELINSGROVE, Pa. - The Susquehanna women's basketball team defeated local rival Lycoming College in non-conference basketball action 71-59 Thursday evening.

Susquehanna tipped off a strong lead making an 8-2 opening run. The Lady Warriors fought back and took the lead on a good layup by Alicia Engler with 11:20 remaining on the first period clock.

The Crusaders responded with 11 consecutive points coming from a variety of sources to regain the lead 19-18 at 8:47. Their lead would remain through the final buzzer to give the Crusaders their fifth win of the season (5-2) as Lycoming dropped to 4-3 overall.

Stepping onto the court for the second shift of action, the Crusaders ultimately upped the ante of the game by increasing its tempo. The momentum change was obvious to spectators as the orange and maroon held a steady, double-digit lead for most of the session.

Susquehanna played 11 of their 16 total squad-members confirming a strong-bench presence. Led by Val Houseal's (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton) 19 points, the Crusaders placed four in double figures. Leigh Henderson (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove) and Rachel Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) followed with 11 apiece, as Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Fullerton C.C.) tallied 10 points. In addition, Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) controlled the game from the point making nine assists while also pulling down nine defensive rebounds.

Andrea Cooper and Kaitlyn Ober each finished with 17 points leading the game for the Lady Warriors. Engler also contributed 10.

The Crusaders successfully knocked down 47 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc, while the Warriors shot just over 32 percent with 20 percent accuracy on three-point attempts.