Since the Thanksgiving holiday, the men's and women's basketball teams have seen a busy couple of weeks, with each team playing four games recently. Both teams are working hard to achieve early season success to propel them through to the upcoming end of semester break.
Prior to Thanksgiving, the women's basketball team made a trip to visit the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford for an afternoon contest. In a closely contested matchup, Pitt-Bradford managed to secure a hard-fought victory with a final score of 66-62. From the outset, it was a game marked by tenacious defense and a back-and-forth offensive struggle.
Natalie Bowser emerged as a force to be reckoned with, dominating the paint, and showcasing her prowess with 13 points and an impressive 13 rebounds, contributing significantly to her team's efforts on both ends of the court. Tara Leamer also displayed a strong presence, securing nine rebounds to go along with her ten points, providing crucial support in the paint.
On the perimeter, Shannon Shaw stood out as a scoring threat, tallying 16 points, with her ability to sink three-pointers proving valuable for the Lady Lions. Frances Milliron contributed 13 points while displaying her skills as a playmaker with three assists, although facing a tough defensive challenge from Pitt-Bradford.
Defensively, the team showed glimpses of strength, registering 12 steals throughout the game, showcasing their ability to disrupt Pitt-Bradford's offensive flow and create scoring opportunities on the fast break.
Despite facing a deficit at various points in the game, Penn State DuBois displayed resilience and determination, staging a comeback attempt in the second half, narrowing the gap and putting pressure on their opponents until the final buzzer, but ultimately came up short in this contest.
Following the loss to Pitt-Bradford, Penn State DuBois looked to rebound a week later when they hosted Penn State New Kensington at the PAW Center. In a hard-fought game, DuBois emerged victorious with a final score of 60-52. Both teams showcased their strengths throughout the game, but the Lady Lions managed to secure the win with a solid performance in crucial moments.
Destiny Batiste led the charge for Penn State New Kensington, displaying an impressive offensive output with 20 points, supported by Jada Norman's strong rebounding with 11 boards. However, their team faced challenges with shooting accuracy, hitting 26% from the field and 15% from beyond the arc.
Penn State DuBois showcased a more balanced offensive effort. Bowser dominated the paint with a staggering 27 rebounds and contributed 21 points to her team's victory. Shaw's playmaking abilities were evident with ten assists, while Rebecca Martin and Kelsey Stuart provided valuable support with 14 and 10 points respectively.
The Lady Lions' stronger shooting percentages, especially in the third quarter with a 45% field goal rate, and their ability to capitalize on turnovers, 12 points off turnovers, played a significant role in securing the win. Despite New Kensington's efforts to compete in rebounds and second-chance points, DuBois' collective performance helped them maintain the edge throughout the game. Overall, the Lady Lions showcased a collective effort with contributions from various players, overcoming individual shooting challenges through strong teamwork, defensive prowess, and a dominant presence in rebounds to secure a well-deserved win.
Penn State DuBois returned to the court on Friday when they made the trip to Allentown to face off with Penn State Lehigh Valley. Facing a tough challenge, the Lady Lions gave their all but came up short against Lehigh Valley, falling by a final score of 78-56.
Martin led the charge for the Lady Lions with an impressive double-double, dominating the boards with 13 rebounds and contributing 16 points. Bowser also showcased her skills, tallying ten points and 14 rebounds. Shaw was also an offensive spark, dropping 17 points, including five three-pointers.
Despite these standout performances, Penn State Lehigh Valley controlled the game. Penn State DuBois faced difficulties in shooting efficiency, hitting 31% overall from the field. However, their second-half improvement in shooting percentages, especially from beyond the arc, showed resilience and determination.
The defensive effort of the Lady Lions was commendable, forcing Lehigh Valley into 20 turnovers. However, the home team's ability to capitalize on fast breaks and turnovers made the difference in the contest.
Having no time to dwell on the loss from the night before, Penn State DuBois quickly returned to the court, this time visiting Penn State Brandywine. In an intense basketball game at the Brandywine Commons, Brandywine began the game with a strong lead before DuBois rallied fiercely.
Despite a challenging start, the Lady Lions roared back in the second quarter, showcasing impressive offensive prowess. Martin and Bowser dominated the boards, combining for a whopping 31 rebounds. Their efforts, coupled with Tara Leamer's tenacious defense, allowed DuBois to steadily climb back into contention.
The second half saw DuBois maintaining their momentum, improving their shooting percentages significantly. Bowser's 19 points and dominant presence under the basket were instrumental in keeping the scoreboard ticking for DuBois. Milliron and Shaw contributed crucially on both ends of the floor, despite facing tough defensive pressure.
Penn State DuBois capitalized on points in the paint and turned turnovers into scoring opportunities. Their resilience in the face of a strong Brandywine defense showcased their determination and skill.
Ultimately, with a final surge in the fourth quarter, DuBois sealed a hard-earned victory with a final score of 62-54, demonstrating their ability to adapt, compete, and secure a vital win on the road.