Box Score WASHINGTON, D.C. – Second seed SUNY Morrisville women's basketball will play for the 2021-22 United East Championship Title Saturday afternoon, handing third seed Penn St. Harrisburg a convincing 78-60 defeat Friday night in Washington in the semifinal round of the league tournament.

THE BASICS:

• Final Score: Morrisville 78, Penn St. Harrisburg 60 (halftime: Morrisville 36-30)
• Location: Gallaudet University Field House, Washington, D.C.
• Records: Morrisville 18-7, Penn St. Harrisburg 16-9

 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Second seeded SUNY Morrisville women's basketball advanced to the United East Championship Final for a second straight season, handing third seeded Penn St. Harrisburg a 78-60 defeat in the second semifinal of the league's tourney hosted by Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.
• Morrisville held a 52-45 lead heading into the final quarter of Friday night's second semi, before exploding for 26 fourth quarter points to down the Nittany Lions and earn the second slot in the championship final.
• Five posted double figures for the Mustangs in the win, including Rachel Vieira (Caruthers, Calif.) who posted a team high 17 while adding four rebounds and two steals to her totals.
• Vieira collected 13 of her game total in the second half, while ripping off 9-of-10 from the free throw line.
• Morrisville got big numbers from Olivia Brunner (East Branch, N.Y.) off the bench, as she dominated the paint with 16 points, adding eight rebounds.
• The Mustangs outgained the Nittany Lions 32-22 in paint points, while outgaining Harrisburg 19-10 in second chance points.
• Brooke Hammersley (Weedsport, N.Y.) also poured in double-digits, netting her ninth double-double of the season behind 15 points and 11 boards.
• Four of her total rebounds came on the offensive glass for putbacks.
• Cara Walker (Phelps, N.Y.) and Abby Vandewalker (Johnstown, N.Y.) each added 12 in the win, Walker posting a double-double with 10 rebounds.
• Walker also dished out four assists, while collecting a steal.
• Morrisville got all scoring going a mere 10 seconds into the contest as Hammersley attacked the paint for the scoring layup and maintained the edge throughout the frame, leading by as many as five.
• A three by Kendis Butler early in the second brought Harrisburg back within one after a 16-12 first quarter lead by the Mustangs, but it was Hammersley again that countered and Vieira followed with two free throws to extend the lead to five early on.
• Midway through the second, Morrisville kicked off a 7-0 spurt with a fast break tally from Brunner after being fed the ball by Vieira and added a second tally on the ensuing possession before Vandewalker drained the long ball for a nine-point Mustang lead.
• Harrisburg climbed back within three with under three to play in the half, but Morrisville closed out with back-to-back scoring possessions, the first a three from Taylor Colone-Microni (Oneonta, N.Y.) and a third power move in the paint from Brunner, as they carried the 36-30 lead into the break.
• The Mustangs made some adjustments at the half and came out on fire, increasing their lead to 13 out of the gates with a 7-0 run while holding the Nittany Lions scoreless until the 6:38 mark.
• Harrisburg was able to cut the deficit to four with under two to play in the frame, but Morrisville maintained their distance with four straight free throws and a bucket from Brunner in the paint.
• Holding the 52-45 advantage heading into the final frame, Morrisville again opened with a 7-0 run, taking advantage of the shooting of Vandewalker from beyond the arc and quickness of Vieira in the fast break, increasing their lead to 14 early on.
• Harrisburg clawed away at the deficit and was able to draw as close as six with just over four to play, but Morrisville held strong at the free throw line and added 12 more to their totals for the 76-598 advantage with 1:24 to go.
• Morrisville's final strike came from Hammersley with under a minute to play as the Mustangs collected the 78-60 win to advance.
• The Mustangs hit 17-of-22 free throw attempts in the second half alone, a total 21-of-27 across the night.

 
WHAT'S NEXT:
 

• Morrisville will meet top seeded Gallaudet for a third time this season, the second on the Bison's home court, tomorrow at 4 p.m. for the United East title. Gallaudet advanced following a 62-55 defeat of St. Mary's College (Md.) in the first semi of the night.
• The winner will earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
• Live video is available for the game at www.morrisvillemustangs.com.

 
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