LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University women's basketball team (1-6, 1-3 PSAC) returned to action today with a tough overtime loss on the road against the University of Pitt-Johnstown (7-2, 4-1 PSAC), 85-80. 
 
Junior-guard J.J. Hilliard (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) led The Haven with 21 points, netting 9-15 field goals in 27 minutes of action.
 
Both teams came out firing on all cylinders as neither team could break away with a strong lead in the first half. 
 
Rachael McDaniel (Plainfield, N.J./California Univ.) put LHU on the board in the first two minutes of action with a layup to lead UPJ, 2-0. 
 
UPJ responded and set the tone for the game with an offensive battle.  All tied at 6 with 16:22 on the clock, McDaniel netted another layup to give the Lady Eagles the lead once again, at 8-6.
 
The Mountain Cats sparked the offense and went toe-to-toe with the Lady Eagles for much of the first half.  Kayla DeCriscio netted a quick three with 4:52 left in the first half for an UPJ tip, 32-30.  
 
The Lady Eagles played strong on both ends of the court to hold a slim, 38-36 advantage at the end of the first half. 
 
LHU gained a ten-point lead in the second half as the Lady Eagles opened up with a six point run to lead UPJ, 44-36. 
 
UPJ answered back with seven straight points to trail, 44-43 with 15:04 left in regulation.
 
The Haven once again jumped out to the lead with 12 minutes left to play when Marrysa Moyer (Altoona, Pa./Mansfield Univ.) netted a jumper to ignite the Haven attack with the strongest lead of the night, 54-46 with 12:33 on the clock.
 
UPJ battled back to take the lead in the final minute of action.
 
Hilliard powered down the court and netted a jumper with twenty seconds on the clock to tie the game at 74, sending the game into overtime.
 
The Lady Eagles rallied but UPJ took control of overtime and sealed a, 85-80 victory. 
 
Sami Lane (Montoursville, Pa./Loyalsock) and McDaniel powered The Haven attack with 13 and 12 points, respectively. 
 
McDaniel grabbed five boards and defensively recorded five steals.
 
Marrysa Moyer (Altoona, Pa./Mansfield Univ.) added eight points and seven rebounds in the loss.
 
Kelsey Sleighter led UPJ with 26 points and six rebounds. 
 
The Lady Eagles are right back in action tomorrow (Wednesday, December 17) when LHU travels to Indiana (Pa.).  Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
 
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