MANSFIELD, Pa. –The nationally-ranked Lock Haven women's basketball team erupted for 68 points in the second and third quarter, combined, to soar past Mansfield on the road, 85-54, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East showdown on Wednesday night (Feb. 21).
 
The Bald Eagles, who earned their first Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) National Ranking of the season on Tuesday, improved to 23-2 overall and 18-1 to move just one win away from clinching the top seed in the PSAC East.

The Bald Eagles also were named a top-10 team in the first official NCAA Division II Regional ranking released today and move one step closer to dancing in March madness. 
 
The 23 victories are the most for the program since winning 26 games in 1988-89 and the 18 conference victories are the most ever since joining the PSAC.
 
The Bald Eagles earn the series sweep over the Mounties, who fall to 11-14 overall and 8-12 in the PSAC.
 
The Haven, who also held a 19-game winning streak this season, have won four consecutive games since losing its only conference contest of the year.
 
After trailing 15-14 after the first quarter, the Bald Eagles could do no wrong and erupted for 61 points in the second and third period, while holding the Mounties to 22 points to run away with the road victory.
 
The Bald Eagles were on fire from the field and shot 21-of-33 during the monstrous run, including a near 70-percent shooting effort in the third period. The Bald Eagles also knocked down 7-of-12 shots from behind the arch and 12-of-15 shots at the foul line.
 
The 84 points is the Bald Eagles' second-highest total this season, while they set their new season-high for three-pointers made.
 
Not to be overlooked, the defense also held Mansfield to 32 percent (19-of-59) from the floor and forced a game-high 23 turnovers. Lock Haven led 42-22 in points in the paint and 19-7 in points-off-turnovers.
 
Rhlyn Rouse (York, Pa./York Tech) continues to be an it-factor off the bench and set a new career-high for the second time in three games with 23 points (9-of-14).
 
Fellow freshman Madeline Evans (Bloomsburg, Pa./Bloomsburg) also scored a career-high with 15 points and six rebounds.
 
Alana Robinson (Rockaway, N.J./Pope John Paul II) and Jenadia Jordan (York, Pa./Linden Hall) rounded out the Bald Eagles in double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Jordan added five rebounds and four assists, while Robinson pulled in six rebounds.

NCAA Regional Rankings:
Today the NCAA released the first edition of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Rankings and The Haven women were listed. Today's (Feb. 21) ranking listed 10 teams in alphabetical order. These rankings are an important tool used by the Selection Committee in determining the field for the upcoming NCAA DII National Tournament. Another ranking will be released next week.

 NEXT UP
The Bald Eagles host Shippensburg inside Thomas Fieldhouse at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25.