Mansfield University Athletics issued the following announcement on Jan. 12.
Powered by relentless defense and a career-high 29 points from junior Jasmine Hilton, the Mansfield University women's basketball team upended Shippensburg University, 70-50, on Wednesday, Jan. 12 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action inside Decker Gymnasium.
With the victory, the Mounties (5-7, 4-4 PSAC) surpass Shippensburg (7-6, 3-4 PSAC) in the conference standings to take sole possession of fourth place.
The Mountaineers snap a five-game skid against the Raiders after holding them to their second-lowest scoring output of the season.
Junior Alivia Paeglow had her best game as a Mountie, finishing with eight points and a career-high 13 rebounds (five rebounds). Senior Paige Whitfield filled up the stat sheet with eight points, seven assists and five rebounds, while fellow senior Kira Merritt reached double figures with 10 points, five assists and five rebounds. Senior Sydney Reed, Whitfield and Merritt each knocked down two trifectas.
Leading 27-24 out of halftime, the Mounties opened the third on a 10-3 run to extend their lead to 34-25 with 5:22 to go.
The Mounties' defense continued to be its strength, limiting the Raiders to 13 points in the third quarter, while catching fire from behind the arch with three trifectas.
In the final period, the Mountaineers continued to keep Ship at bay and never let their lead slip below 10 through the opening five minutes.
With less than three minutes to go, Hilton scored four straight and Whitfield finished a layup to give the Mounties their largest lead of the night, 66-48 to ultimately put the game out of reach.
In the first half, Hilton and Paeglow dominated inside for the Mounties, allowing MU to build an early 15-11 first-quarter lead. Hilton erupted for 10 points in the opening 10 minutes, while Paeglow pulled in five rebounds, including three on the offensive end.
Shippensburg responded with five quick points in the opening 30 seconds of the second quarter to take their first lead, 16-15. However, Hilton picked up right where she left off, converting a fast-break layup to regain the Mountaineer lead.
Hilton finished the first half with 14 points, while combining with Paeglow for 12 rebounds. Paeglow added five offensive boards and a block in the half.
For the Raiders, Destiny Jefferson finished with 13 points and six rebounds, while Taja Colbert and Treasure George each added eight points.
The Mountaineers are back in action on Monday, Jan. 17 when they travel to Bloomsburg University for a 1 p.m. PSAC game.
Original source can be found here.
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