Fayette women take ‘grudge match’ from Hazleton

By Mike Ciarochi

Herald-Standard

It turned out to be more of a grudge match than a consolation game, which is exactly how the women's basketball team from Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus wanted it.

The host Lady Roaring Lions built a 12-point lead with 6:14 remaining and held off a Penn State Hazleton rally for a 69-67 win in the consolation round of the Women's Division II bracket in the USCAA National Championship Tournament Friday.

The win was a perfect tonic for Fayette, which lost at Hazleton by one point in overtime in the PSUAC Tournament back on Feb. 18.

"It's such a good feeling to beat them," sophomore Kaitlin Miller said. "This is a payback for losing to them in the playoffs."

And then some, according to acting coach JaJuan Davis.

"The third time is always a charm," Davis said. "A win is a win, no matter who you beat, but to beat a team that has had our number the last few years. The players really wanted this one."

And, Miller was a key player in turning the tide, which is quite appropriate.

"We lost 66-65 at their place when Kait missed a buzzer-beater," Davis said. "I thought she was fouled, but nothing was called. So, this is perfect payback."

Courtney Haines paced Fayette (9-18) with 21 points and Hayley Moreland added 19, while Jackie Halapy and Shannon Flament posted 10 rebounds each with Haines and Miller getting nine rebounds.

Alexis Daly paced Hazleton (19-8) with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Taylor Cannon scored 10 points and had 10 rebounds.

Davis noted that Miller's ability to avoid foul trouble kept her in the game and that helped the Lady Roaring Lions secure victory.

"She played a great game just by avoiding foul trouble," Davis said. "We needed her in the game."

Miller noted that she avoided foul trouble with a little help from her friends.

"Jackie Halapy and Shannon Flament did an amazing job on their best player," Miller said, referring to Daly. "They basically freed me up to just roam in the middle."

It truly was a team effort by Fayette and it will remain so for at least next season. The team has no seniors and only Flament is a junior. So, the future appears bright.