Box Score Seton Hill returned to the court after a 10 day break for finals as they hosted Kutztown in a PSAC Crossover on Tuesday evening. Seton Hill jumped out to a large 35-12 halftime lead and had to hold on for a 54-49 victory. SHU improves to 4-5 overall and 1-3 in PSAC play.
After giving up two free throws to Kutztown to open the contest, the Griffins went on a 7-2 to take a lead they would never give up the rest of the contest.
Jharrin Gill scored 4 points during the run while
Alexandra Hay ended the 7-2 run with a three pointer at the 15:50 mark of the first half. SHU built their lead back up to 13-6 on back to back to back layups from
Meghan Mastroianni with just over 10 minutes to play in the half. The Golden Bears cut the lead to 13-10 at the 8:11 mark of the first half but that would be the last field goal of the half for the Golden Bears as the Griffins would close the half on a 22-2 run to take a 35-12 advantage into the locker room at the half.
Halie Torris and Mastroianni each had 7 points at the break for the Griffins. SHU shot 41% from the floor in the half while holding the Golden Bears to just 13% from the floor (4-30).
The second half was a different story as the Golden Bears used their press to force turnovers and outscored the Griffins by a 37-19 margin but it was not enough as the Griffins held on for the five point win. Kutztown opened the half on a 10-2 run to cut the Griffins lead to 37-22 just under four minutes into the half. A three pointer from
Lindsey Mifsud and a layin from
Chelsea Apke pushed the lead back to 19 at 42-23 with 14;14 to play in the half. KU answered with four straight before Torris drained another three pointer to end their mini run. Mastroianni's basket was the only Griffin basket over an 8 minute span but Kutztown could not cut into the SHU lead and after a Mifsud layin, SHU led 51-41 with four minutes to play in the half. Gill made one of two free throws to push the SHU lead to 52-41 with 3:40 to play. KU then went on a 6-0 run to cut the SHU lead to 52-47 with 1:15 left in the half. SHU missed two front ends of 1 and 1's to allow the Bears back into the game. Mastroianni iced the game away with two free throws with 16 seconds to play.
The tables turned in the second half as Kutztown shot 46% from the floor and held the Griffins to just 20% from the floor (6-30). KU finished the game 18-60 from the floor while Seton Hill shot 18-59. Turnovers were a problem for both teams as the Griffins forced 24 turnovers but committed 18 of their own.
Meghan Mastroianni led the Griffins with 11 points. She also added 8 rebounds.
Halie Torris was the only other Griffin in double figures with 10 points.
Lindsey Mifsud scored 9 points and added 4 steals off the bench.
Jharrin Gill finished with 7 points while
Chelsea Apke added 4 points and a team high 12 rebounds.
The Griffins will return to the court on Wednesday evening when they host Mansfield at 5:30 PM in another PSAC Crossover contest.
