MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's basketball team secured its first victory of the season, topping Penn State Brandywine 64-51 in a non-conference tilt at the Capital Union Building on Tuesday night, Nov. 25.


Mikayla Coleman led Penn State Harrisburg (1-5) in scoring with 13 points, while Nicole Hernandez grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds to go along with eight points and four blocks. Azaria Bryant Franklin added nine points, four rebounds, and a pair of steals in just 12 minutes played.


The contest started with two scoreless minutes before Penn State Brandywine (0-7) struck first with a pair of free throws by Trinell Watson. Hernandez answered quickly with a layup before Brookelynn Carr buried a 3-pointer to put the Lions ahead 6-4. The hometown Lions continued to put the pressure on the visitors with another layup from Hernandez and an Akira Cho 3-ball that was assisted by Kennadi Johnson, to end the opening quarter with a 11-4 advantage.


Coleman opened up the second frame with back-to-back 3-pointers, both of which were assisted by Sarah Skaggs, extending the lead to 17-4. The visiting Lions tried to claw their way back with two consecutive layups by Analise Sierra and Jazmyn Kemp, but Penn State Harrisburg went on an 8-0 rally to stifle Penn State Brandywine. Hernandez and Lauren Moffatt started off the run with two layups, while Bre'ijha Painter and Coleman both converted two free throws apiece. Despite a layup and a pair of free ones from the line from the visitors, the hometown Lions went into halftime with a commanding 16-point lead.


Just 12 seconds into the third quarter Moffatt found Painter for a layup in the paint before Penn State Brandywine went on a 6-0 run to slightly close the gap halfway through the frame. Bryant Franklin came alive in the quarter, as she led the home team on a 7-0 run of her own, scoring a pair of layups and a 3-pointer. The two squads traded 3-balls by Skaggs and the visitors' Journey Handy before going into the final frame.


Kennadi Johnson sunk a shot from beyond the arc to bring the hometown Lions' advantage to 49-28 with 9:55 to go in the contest. Although Penn State Brandywine narrowed the gap by 11 points, it was not enough for the visitors to overcome and Penn State Harrisburg earned their first win of the 2025-26 season 64-51.


NOTABLES
- Hernandez flirted with a double-double, as she recorded 12 rebounds and eight points to go along with four blocks.
- Coleman was the only hometown Lion to surpass the double-digit scoring mark with 13 points.
- Skaggs did a little bit of everything as she had five points, five rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal.
- Bryant Franklin added nine points, four rebounds, and a pair of steals.
- Moffatt chipped in six rebounds, four points, two assists, two steals, and a block.
- Penn State Brandywine's Watson led the team with 14 points, shooting .50 percent from the field and 6-7 from the charity stripe.


WHO'S NEXT?
Penn State Harrisburg travels to Madison, N.J. on Sunday, Nov. 25 for a non-conference matchup against Drew at 2 p.m.


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