ANN ARBOR, MI – Penn State Schuylkill Women's Basketball fell at the University of Michigan's Crisler Center to University of Michigan-Dearborn 63-59, in what was a hard-fought battle from start to finish.
Schuylkill was the first to strike in this contest, with Tajae Stevenson (Patterson, NJ / International High School) converting on a drop-step layup. Following a made 3-point field goal by Dearborn with 7:25 remaining, Schuylkill dialed up the intensity, scoring on their next three possessions to take a 9-7 lead.
Dearborn converted a 3-point attempt off a Schuylkill turnover to take a 10-9 lead midway through the quarter. Dearborn shot effectively from the behind the three-point line, going 4-6 during the first period. A made jump shot by Serena Jones (New Ringgold, PA / Tamaqua High School) with 4:17 left in the quarter brought Schuylkill back within one following a pair of made free throws by Dearborn. Dearborn ended the quarter on a 4-0 stretch late to extend their lead to 20-16.
Both teams struggled to find the basket during the second period, with each team shooting 33 percent from the field for the quarter. Stevenson scored a layup fresh out of a timeout to bring the deficit to 22-23. Dearborn answered immediately, converting on a 3-point attempt with 5:33 left in the quarter. Schuylkill did a great job defensively throughout the period, forcing 5 turnovers and coming up with key stops.
Nadia King (Harrisburg, PA / Susquehanna Township High School) would find Kassidy Ingram (Abington, PA / Trinity High School) on a full court heave, rewarding Ingram for sprinting hard and beating both teams up the court. Ingram converted the and-one play to give Schuylkill a 37-36 lead. Dearborn connected on yet another 3-point attempt possessions later to regain the lead with 7:12 to play in the third quarter.
Dearborn went on a 9-0 run which was halted by a Desiree Ellison (Atlanta, GA / Rockdale County High School) layup. On Schuylkill's next offensive possession, Ellison found Stevenson in the corner for a 3-point make to bring the deficit to 42-46 with 4:22 remaining in the third period. An 8-2 stretch by Schuylkill brought Schuylkill within one with 3:12 left in the third. Dearborn converted on a 3-point attempt to end the quarter to extend their lead to 56-50.
Stevenson capitalized on a huge layup with 4:55 remaining to bring the deficit to 55-58. Schuylkill did a great job of limiting Dearborn offensively during the quarter, holding Dearborn to 18 percent from the field, 0-7 from three. Dearborn would score on two straight possessions with 2:04 remaining to push their lead to 7.
Ingram converted a clutch put-back layup with 16 seconds remaining to bring the Schuylkill deficit to 62-59. Schuylkill would then play the foul game, sending Dearborn to the line where they went 1 for 2 and ultimately put the game out of reach.
Stevenson led Schuylkill with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Ingram added 7 points and 7 rebounds. Ellison contributed with 7 points and 6 rebounds. King was productive, finishing with 7 points and 4 steals.
Following the holiday break, Schuylkill (8-6. 5-1 PSUAC) will compete in four straight conference games on the road, beginning with a matchup against Penn State Wilkes-Barre on January 11th.
