Home Sweet Home

By: Alexis Shelton

Monaca, PA- Penn State Beaver's Women's Basketball Team (9-3, 6-0 PSUAC) returned home this evening to take on PSUAC rival Penn State Hazelton (Hazelton, PA).

There was a little concern for the Lady Lions in the beginning, as Hazelton went on a 9-0 run to open up the game. Not until 15:01 left in the first half did Beaver score thanks to a free throw by Kalynn Hill (Montour/Pittsburgh, PA) followed by a three pointer by Coleen Mead (Newport Harbor/Costa Mesa, CA). Beaver continued on a 9-0 run of their own thanks to a steal and layup by Brittany Tomaselli (East Liverpool/East Liverpool, OH) and an Amanda Temple (Avella/Avella, PA) layup tied the game at 9 (12:12). Hazelton fought back but, a steal by Hali DeSarro (East Liverpool/East Liverpool, OH) and assist to Mead gave Beaver a 15-14 lead (3:46). Beaver went into the half up three 17-14.

Hazelton came out strong in the second half as well, going on a 8-1 run to open it up. Down 22-18, Brooke Mulneix (Riverside/Beaver Falls, PA) hit a key three pointer to bring the Lady Lions back to within one. Tomaselli tied the game at 23 for Beaver and a steal and layup by Mulneix gave the Lady Lions the lead again. Two more three pointers by Mulneix and scoring from Temple expanded Beavers lead to 20 after going on a 22-2 run. The Lady Lions got their biggest lead, 30, at 2:55 left in the game. Beaver went on to win 60-30.

For the evening, Mulneix led the team with 22 points and 18 rebounds. Followed by Temple with 11 points, and Mead with 10. Hill had an excellent defensive game forcing three turnovers, one block, and three steals. The Lady Lions shot 33.8% from the field and 22.2% from three point range. Beaver also outscored Hazelton in the second half 43-16.

The Lady Lions next game will be on the road Wednesday, January 18, 2012 against PSUAC rival Penn State Greater Allegheny (McKeesport, PA) at 6pm.