Middletown, PA-- The St. Mary's College of Maryland Women's Basketball Team (12-6) traveled to Middletown, PA for a midweek showdown against the Penn State Harrisburg Nittany Lions (11-8). The Seahawks were able to come from behind, using a strong second half, to win 53-46 and avenge their earlier season loss to the Nittany Lions. 

How It Happened

• The first quarter featured just 14 points combined between the Nittany Lions and Seahawks, in what was a very defensive low scoring opening 10 minutes. Sam Blaylock, Stephanie Howell, and Rachel Manning each contributed a basket, as the Nittany Lions held an 8-6 lead going into the second quarter. 

• Offense continued to be hard to come by for the Seahawks, whereas the Nittany Lions began to find their footing. Harrisburg rattled off the first nine points of the quarter before Sam Blaylock finally ended the St. Mary's scoring drought with a much needed three pointer midway through the period. Despite Harrisburg leading by as much as 16 and controlling all the momentum, the Seahawks never got discouraged and were able to slowly get back within striking distance before the end of the half. A pair of Karon Williams free throws trimmed the Nittany Lion lead to 11 going into the locker room.

• The Seahawks and Nittany Lions traded basket for basket to start the second half. When it felt like the Seahawks hit a momentum shifting shot, the Nittany Lions were right there with an answer. It wasn't until the four minute mark of the period that St. Mary's was able to get back within single digits of Harrisburg. The biggest shot of the game to that point for the Seahawks came at the end of the quarter when Karon Williams nailed a three pointer to continue to chip away at the Nittany Lion lead. Harrisburg led 41-34 going into the final 10 minutes. 

• St. Mary's saved their best for last in what was an impressive final quarter on both ends of the court for the Seahawks squad. The Nittany Lions were held to just five fourth quarter points and did not tally a single basket over the final three minutes of the game. The Seahawks played stifling defense over the final period and shared the wealth on the offensive end. St. Mary's had five different players find the bottom of the net, including Stephanie Howell, who made a clutch jump shot with 1:35 remaining to extend the Seahawk lead to two possessions. After a couple of defensive stops, Karon Williams sealed the game with three made free throws in the final moments. St. Mary's rallied to win, 53-46. 

Inside the Box Score

• Karon Williams had a team high 17 points 

• Stephanie Howell recorded another double double with 12 rebounds and 10 points 

• Rachel Manning filled the stat sheet with 10 points, eight rebounds, and five steals. 

.Up Next

  Feb. 3 | 5:00 PM | vs. Penn State Abington | St. Mary's City, MD

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