Second-Half Outburst Lifts Women's Basketball to Win over PSU Hazleton
Carly Leitzel manufactured a double-double with 11 points and 11 boards.

Second-Half Outburst Lifts Women's Basketball to Win over PSU Hazleton

Women's Basketball - 11/30/2012 8:55:00 PM

Box Score

Sugarloaf Twp., PA - The Marywood University women's basketball team outscored Penn State Hazleton by 26 points in the second half to turn one-point halftime lead into a 66-39 victory Friday in Sugarloaf Township. Marywood outscored the Lions, 42-16, in the second half.

Carly Leitzel produced the Pacers' first double-double of the season, notching 11 points and 11 rebounds. Brittany Mang led all scorers with 16 points.

Marywood (2-3 overall) started both halves in similar fashion but each played out extremely different. The Pacers scored the first eight points of the game, but quickly let their lead slip to Penn State Hazleton (3-2 overall). Marywood didn't let up its 12-2 run to start the second, holding the Lions to just 16 points – nine coming in the final three minutes – in the half.

The Pacers shot 45.8 percent (27-of-59) from the floor, while holding the Lions to a 30.6 shooting percentage. Marywood's defense forced 36 Penn State Hazleton turnovers, heralded by Mang's six steals. Mang finished her day with two steals in a 45-second span.

Morgann Haduck posted 10 points, six rebounds, and a team-high three assists for Marywood. Courtney Murray chimed in with a nine-point effort.

Seven of Leitzel's 11 rebounds came from the offensive side of the court.

Clinging on to a 24-23 advantage at halftime, Marywood started the second on a 12-2 run to jump out to an 11-point lead. The Pacers outscored the Lions 23-4 in the first 8 minutes, 25 seconds of the second half.

Leitzel used a staunch defensive press to keep the Lions at bay in the second. She totaled three steals during the second frame.

After being fouled from behind the arc, Haduck hit three free throws to put the Pacers ahead, 52-30, with 9:48 remaining to put the game out of reach.

Starting on a Haduck 3-pointer, Marywood opened on an 8-0 run, not allowing the Lions to score until 3:08 into the game.

Unforced turnovers allowed the Lions to overcome the early Pacer onslaught. Penn State Hazleton took a 16-15 lead on Taylor Cannon lay-in at the 9:24 mark. The Lions' lead grew to as many as three before Marywood put most of its starters back on the floor.

The Pacers' six-minute scoring drought in the first half ended when Haduck finessed a pass to Maggie Presnall under the basketball for a put in. Leitzel stole and drove to the basket to regain the Pacers' lead at 19-18. 
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