Lions slip in 3rd quarter vs. Davis College

Hazleton, Pa. - The Lady Lions fell on Wednesday night in a non-conference bout with Davis College in the Dr. Thomas M. Cacesse gymnasium. Hazleton trailed by just three points at the half, but the Falcon shooters caught fire in the third period, creating all the separation they would need to top the Lions. Davis connected on six triples in the third period to take a 19 point advantage over the Lady Lions and navigated their way to 94-70 victory over Hazleton. 

Senior Mckenzie Prutsman (Jasper, Ny.) reeled off 25 points in defeat, going 9-for-19 from the field, adding eight rebounds to her credit. Two other Lady Lions reached double figures including sophomore Kendra Pfeil (Hazleton, Pa.) and sophomore Lauren Pataki (Hazleton, Pa.), both of whom continue to average double-figures in scoring for the season. Pfeil notched 18 points and six rebounds including three long range makes while Pataki pitched in 13 points, seven boards and four assists. 

Although the Lady Lions were out-shot in terms of percentage throughout the first half, Hazleton was able to negate the Falcon advantage with success at the free throw line. Hazleton shot a combined 14-for-15 at the stripe during the first two periods and match the Falcons efforts on the glass to enter the midway point trailing by a slim three point margin, 40-37 in favor of Davis.

But that would all change as play resumed in the pivotal third quarter. The Falcons stormed out of half-time to sink five triples in the first 5:30 of the third quarter, part of a 19-4 run for Davis. After a slow start, Hazleton responded with 10 late points in the quarter but the Lady Lions failed to make any headway thanks to a stellar 13 point performance by the Falcons' Elizabeth Singleton. Though Singleton may it tough on the Lady Lion defenders all night, her third quarter efficiency paved the way for a Falcon victory. Singleton sunk 5-of-6 shots from the field including her lone three point attempt and hit 2-of-3 from the free throw line, adding a pair of assists in the crucial third quarter. 

Hazleton bounced back for a solid fourth quarter but the damage had been done. Ultimately the Falcons would fire at a near 50 percent clip in the second half with eight triples while out-rebounding the Lady Lions 28-13 to win the second half and the pick up the win 94-70.

Next up: Hazleton concludes the fall semester against Penn State Lehigh Valley on Friday, December 7 at 6:00 p.m. in the Dr. Thomas M. Cacesse Gymnasium.