Final Score: Penn State Schuylkill 76, Penn State Scranton 53

The Penn State Schuylkill women's basketball team secured an impressive home victory over Penn State Scranton, using dominant rebounding, stifling defense, and key offensive contributions to lead wire-to-wire. The Lions now turn their attention to a pivotal matchup on Tuesday at home against PSU York, a top contender in the PSUAC East Division.

First Half: Early Control

Schuylkill came out strong, opening the game with a 23-10 first quarter fueled by fast-paced offense and aggressive rebounding. Tajae Stevenson (19 points, 13 rebounds) led the charge, controlling the paint and finishing key plays in transition. Ava Novak (14 points, 9 rebounds) also chipped in with two early three-pointers, extending Schuylkill's lead.

By halftime, Schuylkill held a 41-22 advantage, having forced 10 turnovers while only committing 2 themselves. The Lions capitalized with 16 points off turnovers and dominated the glass with 25 second-chance points.

Second Half: Holding Strong

In the third quarter, Scranton tried to mount a comeback with a run led by Tressie Bender (21 points, 10 rebounds), but Schuylkill's defense kept them in check. Serena Jones (11 points, 9 rebounds) and Allison Crockett (11 points, 3-for-7 from three) hit crucial shots to maintain the momentum. The Lions led by as many as 29 points during the third.

Scranton made a brief push in the fourth quarter but couldn't close the gap, as Schuylkill's reserves kept up the intensity. Monet Edwards added 9 points off the bench, providing timely baskets to seal the victory.

Key Stats:

• Rebounding Battle: Schuylkill out-rebounded Scranton 49-38, including 21 offensive boards that fueled their second-chance points (25).
• Turnovers: Schuylkill committed just 7 turnovers while forcing 18, converting those into 16 points.
• Bench Contribution: Schuylkill's bench outscored Scranton's 34-3, showcasing the team's depth.
• Defense: The Lions held Scranton to 33.9% shooting and just 25.7% from beyond the arc.

With this win, Schuylkill improves to 14-4 overall and 12-1 in the PSUAC, solidifying their position as a contender in the conference. They'll look to continue their momentum in Tuesday's showdown against PSU York in a highly anticipated Eastern Division matchup.