The Penn State Wilkes-Barre women's basketball team kicked off their season at home against Sussex County Community College at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11.

The Lady Lions scored the first points of the game in the first quarter with a two pointer made by #15 freshman Haylie Oliphant (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania/Wyoming Valley West High School) in a layup. #0 junior Tanae Arnold (West Hartford, Connecticut/Monroe College) made impressive break aways for the net, resulting in 3 assists.  Despite Wilkes-Barre dominating in ball possession, the first quarter ended with a score of 25-19 Sussex College. 

Starting off the second quarter the Lady Lions played good offense, making quick and efficient passes to one another. #24 junior Aysia Pink (Albany/New York/Monroe College) made continuous three-pointers, showing her range from outside the arc. The final score for the quarter was 41-31 Sussex County Community College. 

The third and fourth quarters were a flurry of activity, Wilkes-Barre gaining on the opposing team in points. Collectively, the team made a total of 7 steals, starting with #22 sophomore Hannah Cook (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania/G.A.R. Memorial High School) grabbing the ball and hustling to the other end of the court, quickly followed by #14 junior Shamonie Rose (Washington, D.C./Kipp High School) interrupting the opposing team's pass. These plays started a chain reaction of steals, giving the Lady Lions many opportunities to shoot. In the end, Wilkes-Barre could not make up the points needed to overtake the Sussex team. The final score was 59-46 Sussex County Community College. 

Top points scorers of the game were Aysia Pink with 14, Tanae Arnold with 13, and Haylie Oliphant with 9. The team plays their next game at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Bucks County Community College. 

Written by Kyler Burke

Photo: Carrie Miner Yaple @v1sion_media