Women's Basketball Falls in Close Battle to University of Michigan-Dearborn

DETROIT, Mi. – Penn State Schuylkill Women's Basketball fell to University of Michigan-Dearborn in what would be the first of two between the two teams 60-54.

Schuylkill would score on the first possession of the game on a Kassidy Ingram (Abington, PA / Trinity High School) backdoor layup, assisted by Nadia King (Harrisburg, PA / Susquehanna Township High School). The pair would connect once again, this time with Ingram finding King on a made layup with 7:50 remaining to give Schuylkill a 6-0 advantage early on.

Dearborn would go on an 11-0 run, pushing their lead to 11-6 with 3:31 remaining in the quarter. Schuylkill would then go on a run of their own, outscoring Dearborn 8-3 to end the quarter. Serena Jones (New Ringgold, PA / Tamaqua High School) would score on a made layup with 35 seconds remaining to bringing the deficit to three. Jones would then convert an and-one with 4 seconds remaining in the quarter to tie the score at 14.

After both teams went 1 for 2 from the foul line in the opening minutes of the second quarter, Tajae Stevenson (Patterson, NJ / International High School) would convert on a made layup to give Schuylkill a 17-15 advantage. A steal and made layup by King with 7:22 remaining in the quarter would push the Schuylkill lead to 19-15.

Dearborn would capitalize on a made 3-point attempt to close the gap to one. Allison Crockett (Liverpool, PA / Greenwood High School) would freeze her defender on a deep step back jump shot inside the 3-pt line to push the Schuylkill lead to three with 6:15 remaining. On Schuylkill's next offensive possession, Jones would drop step her way to two points to push the lead to 23-18.

With the score 29-28 Schuylkill with 2:00 minutes remaining in the second, Dearborn would go on a 7-0 run to end the half.

After a made Dearborn free throw early in the third quarter, King would find Ingram on a post-up play to bring the deficit to 31-36. King would continue to set up her teammates, connecting with Jones on a made layup to bring Schuylkill within three.

With Dearborn leading 45-41 after a made three-point field goal with 1:58 remaining in the quarter, Stevenson would convert on a layup to bring the deficit to two. Both teams would go 1 for 2 from the free throw line to bring the score to 44-46 heading into the final period.

Dearborn would convert on a 3-point attempt following a Schuylkill turnover to begin the fourth. Desiree Ellison (Atlanta, GA / Rockdale County High School) would find Stevenson on a made 2-point field goal to bring the deficit to 49-46. Jones would continue her hot shooting, knocking down a jump shot inside the three to bring Schuylkill within one with 8:44 remaining.

Dearborn would find the basket with 7:09 remaining on a made layup. Jones would respond quickly, connecting from mid-range to close the gap once again.

With both teams going over five minutes without a made field goal, Dearborn would convert on a corner 3-point attempt to push the lead to 56-50. Stevenson was sent to the foul line on a shot attempt with less than a minute remaining in regulation. Stevenson would convert both free-throws, closing the gap to four.

Dearborn would knock down a jump shot with 45 seconds remaining to push the score to 58-52. Jones would answer on the next possession on a made layup to bring Schuylkill back within four. Dearborn would call a 30 second timeout with 29 seconds remaining in the contest.

Schuylkill would show tenacity on defense out of the timeout, forcing a Dearborn turnover with 18 seconds remaining. A missed 3-point field goal from Schuylkill with 8 seconds remaining would ultimately seal the deal for Dearborn.

Serena Jones led Schuylkill with 17 points and 6 rebounds off the bench. Ingram had a huge game inside, finishing with a 14-point, 14 rebound double-double. Stevenson added 9 points and 5 rebounds. Nadia King contributed with 7 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals.

Women's Basketball will look to avenge today's loss against University of Michigan-Dearborn tomorrow morning, in what will be the second of two meetings between the two teams. Tip-off is 11:00 a.m. at the University of Michigan's Crisler Center.