Hazleton holds off Wilkes-Barre for 65-61 win

Lehman, Pa. - Just over a week after Hazleton handled Penn State Wilkes-Barre on their home court it was a much different contest when the matchup traveled to the Wilkes-Barre campus on Tuesday night. In a virtual stalemate statistically, Hazleton would have to overcome a 30 point outpouring by Wilkes-Barre's Gianna Skaff and out a 59-59 tie in the final 74 seconds of action. It would take a pair of clutch defensive plays by senior Mckenzie Prutsman (Jasper, Ny.) and sophomore Kendra Pfeil (Hazleton, Pa.) to get the Lady Lions over the hump, claiming their second straight Penn State University Athletic Conference game by the score of 65-61.

After a slow start in the first quarter, Prutsman got into a rhythm in the remaining periods, scoring 25 points in the final three quarters and lead Hazleton with 27 on the night. The senior added 10 boards and four steals, none larger than her swipe with 1:14 to play leading to a late go-ahead field goal. Equalling Prutsman under the category of clutch was Pfeil who tallied seven points in the final four minutes and change. Pfeil scored back to back jumpers late in the game, including a game-tying triple that halted a wave of Wilkes-Barre momentum and a scoop and score in the final minute to push Hazleton's advantage back to a two possession game. Pfeil would end the night with 15 points and seven rebounds respectively. 

Next up: The Lady Lions will look to make it three straight conference victories with a win on Saturday, January 26 when Hazleton hosts Penn State Mont Alto in the Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium.