ALTOONA, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's women's basketball team was unable to hold off a hard-charging Penn State Altoona squad in the fourth quarter of a 58-50 non-conference loss at Adler Arena on Monday night, Dec. 8.


Only four Penn State Harrisburg players scored on the night, with Lauren Moffatt finishing one rebound shy of a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. Mikayla Coleman had 22 points, Allison Metzgar added nine off the bench and Molli Hogbin finished with eight points. 


Leading 28-20 at halftime, Penn State Harrisburg (2-8) extended its lead to an many as a dozen points early in the third quarter following a Hogbin layup off a Kennadi Johnson assist at the 8:29 mark but Penn State Altoona (6-2) chipped away and eventually pulled to within three  heading into the final period.


The hometown Lions opened the fourth quarter with a pivotal 9-0 spurt, using back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers to turn a 39-36 deficit into a 45-39 advantage with 8:10 left to play. The visitors pulled to within one following a Coleman layup with 5:31 remaining but Penn State Altoona responded with a game-sealing 11-2 run over the next five minutes to put things out of reach. 


The home team opened the game with a 6-0 spurt but Penn State Harrisburg closed out the opening quarter with a 12-3 run capped by four straight points from Hogbin to hold a one-possession lead after the first. Metzgar provided the spark in the second and connected on all three of her triples in the period to help build the advantage at the break.


NOTABLES
- Penn State Harrisburg shot 38.2 percent from the field but just 25 percent in the fourth quarter, while the home team shot 41.2 percent in the final period.
- Penn State Altoona got to the foul line 18 times compared to just seven times for the visitors.
- Penn State Harrisburg won the rebounding battle 46-43.
- Penn State Altoona scored 23 points off turnovers. 
- Moffatt nearly recorded her second straight double-double, finishing with 11 points and nine rebounds.
- Coleman netted 22 and grabbed six boards.
- Hogbin added eight points and seven rebounds.
- Metzgar hit three 3-balls to tally nine points. She also grabbed five boards.
- Johnson dished-out four assists, while Bre'ijha Painter had seven rebounds.


WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions travel to Gwynedd Mercy for another non-conference tilt on Saturday afternoon.


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