SCRANTON, Pa. - The nation's second-ranked program proved too much for Penn State Harrisburg's women's basketball team as No. 2/2 Scranton came away with a 74-28 non-conference victory over the Lions on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 21.
Nicole Hernandez had six points and five rebounds, Lauren Moffatt added four points and a game-high six boards and Mikayla Coleman finished with eight points.
Coleman scored the game's first points but the Royals (11-0) responded with a 15-0 run over the next four minutes to take an early double-digit lead. Hernandez stopped the bleeding with a 3-ball off a Bre'ijha Painter assist at the 3:46 mark and Moffatt added a layup two minutes late but Scranton closed out the period with four straight points to lead 23-7 after one.
Most of the struggles for the Lions (2-10) came in the second quarter, as the visitors managed just one point in the frame. Moffatt converted the team's lone free throw while the Royals exploded offensively to the tune of 26 points in the quarter to stretch the advantage to 49-8 heading into the break.
Penn State Harrisburg had more success after halftime, with both Kennadi Johnson and Hernandez connecting on jumpers from beyond the arc to spark an 11-point third quarter. The home team opened the fourth by scoring 10 straight points, however, and held off the Lions the rest of the way.
NOTABLES
- Turnovers plagued the Lions, with the Royals scoring 45 points off Penn State Harrisburg miscues.
- Scranton's bench outscored the Penn State Harrisburg reserves 37-7.
- The Royals scored 34 points in the paint and 29 fast break points.
- Hernandez posted six points, five rebounds and a pair of blocks.
- Moffatt grabbed a game-high six boards to go along with four points.
- Coleman added eight points and two assists.
- Painter chipped in with two points and four rebounds off the bench.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions return to conference play when they host United East foe Penn State Abington on Saturday, Jan. 3.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube using the handle @pshbgathletics.
