LH women’s basketball grabs late win over Kutztown

LOCK HAVEN, PA – Brooke Lawyer (Hanover, Pa./Delone Catholic) converted the game-winning free throw with four seconds to play, and the Lock Haven University women’s basketball team (10-14, 8-11 PSAC) edged out Kutztown University (12-12, 10-8 PSAC)  58-57 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action on Saturday afternoon in Thomas Fieldhouse.

The crucial late-season victory keeps head coach Jennifer Smith’s team in line for the final playoff position in the PSAC East with just three games left on the schedule.

LHU started off on fire, and charged out to a 14-6 lead after the first quarter.

The Bald Eagles stifling defensive play shut down the Golden Bears in the second quarter as Kutztown shot just 1-11 from the field. The Haven outscored Kutztown 15-5 in the second and led 29-11 at halftime.

Kutztown closed the gap slightly in the third quarter, but their real charge came in the fourth quarter as they outscored LHU 29-14 in the final ten minutes. Down 44-28, the Golden Bears mounted a furious comeback to tie the game up at 57-57 with eight seconds to play.

After drawing a foul on her way to the hoop, Lawyer converted the first of her free throw attempts to hand LHU the huge conference victory, 58-57. Lawyer notched 10 points on the day and was one of two Bald Eagles in double figures.

Carly Fitzmorris (Hamburg, N.J./Pope John XXIII) led the way for The Haven and tallied a game-high 15 points on 4-7 from the floor.

On the glass, Kutztown held a slight lead, but Kylie Metzger (Roaring Spring, Pa./Central Martinsburg) made her presence felt with a game-high nine rebounds.

Jenadia Jordan (Lititz, Pa./Linden Hall) and Jackie Fetsko (Marion Center, Pa./Marion Center) rounded out the scoring and each chipped in nine points.    

The Bald Eagles return to the court next Saturday (Feb. 18) for a road trip to West Chester. That contest with the Golden Rams will tip off at 1 p.m.