Women's Basketball remains perfect with 63-47 win over Cairn

HAZLETON, Pa. - Penn State Hazleton remained unbeaten, downing NCAA Division III opponent Cairn University, 63-47, in a non-conference women's basketball game on Monday night in the Dr. Thomas Caccese Gymnasium.

Sophomore Alexis Daly (Wyalusing, Pa.) scored a team-high 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, notching her third double-double of the season. Sophomore Stephanie Guevara (North Brunswick, NJ) joined Daly in double figures, finishing with 13 points and adding four assists.

Hazleton (4-0, 0-0 PSUAC) survived a shaky shooting night, finishing a season worst 29 percent from the field. Despite their struggles on offense, the Lady Lions defense is what made the difference. Hazleton forced 23 turnovers, and converted 18 points off of the Highlander mistakes. Senior Taylor Cannon (Hazleton, Pa.) had a game-high three steals to lead the defensive effort, as Hazleton held Cairn to 28 percent shooting.

The teams were even in points in the paint with 20, and neither team could gain a rebounding advantage, as each team pulled down 50 rebounds in a game where the ball was stubborn to go through the hoop. Cairn's shooting struggles were enhanced by their 4-for-28 effort from behind the arc, including shooting only seven percent from three-point range in the second half as they attempted to claw back into the game.

After Cairn hit a three-pointer to take a 19-18 lead midway through the first half, Hazleton went on a 12-0 run to close out the first half and take a 30-19 lead into the break. The Lady Lions kept up the pressure and opened up the second stanza with a 15-3 run to grab a double digit lead that they would relinquish.

Hazleton returns to the court on Tuesday, November 18 as they play host to their second straight NCAA Division III opponent. Lycoming College comes to Highacres for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off. Admission is $3 for general admission, and free for PSU students, senior citizens and children under 12. All proceeds from admission sales benefit THON.