Scranton Lady Lions Lose a Nail Biter

By: Ross Turetsky, Penn State Scranton Athletics

On a Tuesday night in the electric city, the Penn State Scranton Lady Lions basketball squad dropped a home non-conference tilt with nearby Clarks Summit University by the slimmest of margins, a mere one point thrilling decision, 48-47, that went down to the very final seconds of the ball game. With the defeat, Scranton sees their overall record fall to 3-2 and are now on a mini two game losing streak heading into the start of their all-important conference play schedule this weekend.

The road warriors from Clarks Summit had a close one point lead, 14-13, at the end of the first quarter of play before taking a 30-23 advantage into the half-time break in the action. After the third quarter concluded Clarks Summit held a 46-36, sizeable 10 point lead, however, the Lions would come roaring right back and dominated the fourth and final period outscoring their opponent 11-2, before falling just short by a point when the game clock hit all zeroes.

Scranton had the dynamic duo of Micayla Arzie and senior Alahnna Balbach score in double figures to set the pace for their ball club offensively. Arzie just missed out on a double-double scoring a team-high 16 points and had nine rebounds, shooting an impressive 7-11 from the field and 2-4 from three point land, to go along with her stingy defense of six steals, and two assists while playing all 40-minutes of the contest. Last but certainly not least, Balbach notched another double-double with her stalwart 15 points and 10 boards, shooting an efficient 7-13 from the field, to go along with a team-high four blocks, an assist, and a steal.

Meanwhile, the Defenders from Clarks Summit also had a pair of double digit scorers, as Kylee Miller and Serene Calderon led the way for their team. Miller scored a game-high 18 points on a solid 9-18 shooting from the field, to go along with her eight rebounds, a trio of blocks, and an assist in a stellar 38-minutes of play. . Finally, Calderon tallied 16 points, sinking a three pointer, and nabbed seven boards, six assists, and a hat trick of steals on defense while playing all 40-minutes on the court.

Now veteran head coach Tom McIntyre and his 3-2 Penn State Scranton Lady Lions basketball squad will look to bounce back and get a big victory in their crucial conference opener this upcoming Friday night when they go on the road to face off against league foe Penn State Shenango, with a 6pm tip-off.