MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's basketball team closed out a eventful day at the Capital Union Building, falling 63-33 to No. 11 Messiah on Saturday night, Nov. 16. 


Mikayla Coleman finished with a team-high eight points, while Nicole Hernandez shot 60 percent from the floor to add six of her own. Lauren Moffatt netted five points and Sarah Skaggs added four off the bench. 


The nationally-ranked Falcons (3-1) jumped out to a 9-2 advantage following a Hope Cook 3-ball but the Lions (0-3) pulled to within two thanks to a Moffatt layup and a Coleman triple. Messiah was able to halt that momentum, however, using an 8-2 run to end the opening quarter.


The Falcons created most of their separation in the second quarter, shooting 43 percent from the floor while holding Penn State Harrisburg to six points. Trailing 34-15 coming out of halftime, Penn State Harrisburg got a little something going towards the end of the third when Skaggs buried a 3-pointer and Hernandez added a jumper in the paint to go along with a fastbreak layup.


The Lions' push came too late, however, as Messiah opened the fourth with a 7-0 run that effectively put things out of reach for good.


NOTABLES
- Penn State Harrisburg shot 28.6 percent from the field and 20 percent from 3-point range.
- Messiah did most of its damage from in close, scoring 26 points in the paint.
- Coleman finished with a team-high eight points.
- Hernandez netted six points and grabbed a pair of rebounds.
- Moffatt added five points and two boards.
- Skaggs chipped in with four points and two rebounds off the bench.
- Bre'iijha Painter finished with a team-high two assists and three points in a reserve role.


WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions face another tough test when they travel to nationally-ranked Gettysburg for non-conference action on Tuesday night.


STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube using the handle @pshbgathletics.