BETHLEHEM, PA (January 30, 2016) - The Penn State Lehigh Valley Women's Basketball team fell to 1st place Penn State Hazleton 84-83, Saturday night at Stabler Arena on the campus of Lehigh University. Lehigh Valley drops to 10-5 on the season and 7-2 in PSUAC play.
The first half saw a strong push by Hazleton but Lehigh Valley kept up the pace to keep it within 8 at the end of the half, Hazleton leading 49-41. The second half showed new life for Lehigh Valley who continued to close in on Hazleton. Hazleton led all the way through until sophomore guard Andrea Watkins of Lehigh Valley was sent to the line and hit two free throws to put them ahead 59-58 with 1:10 left in the 3rd quarter. Hazleton would end the third quarter on top 64-61.
In the 4th quarter Hazleton would hold possession of the lead once again, until Watkins hit a layup at the 5:17 mark. There would be 5 lead changes from this mark and with just 17 seconds left in the game, Hazleton's Jaqlyn Siva-Harriso hit a jump shot to bring Hazleton within one, Lehigh Valley up, 83-82. With just 2.8 seconds remaining Hazleton's Haley Nalls went to the free throw line to make two free throws and steal the win from Lehigh Valley, 84-83.
Sophomore Andrea Watkins lead Lehigh Valley with 25 points. Sophomore Hannah Bankes netted 23 points, shooting 7-14 from beyond the arc. Junior Ashley Gordon had a double double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Junior Nikita Brady chipped in 12 points of her own.
Lehigh Valley will host Penn State Greater Allegheny this Monday, February 1st at Cedar Crest College. The women will tip-off at 1 PM and men will tip-off at 3 PM.
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