State College, Pa., Dec. 27, 2002 --

Abington's Angel Huff, listed as a 5-5 forward, played a big part in her team's 66-58 defeat of State College in the first round of the Kiwanis Holiday Tournament.

Huff's 18 points included four straight from the free throw line in the game's last 12 seconds as the Lady Little Lions were trying to battle back from a four-point deficit.

The game featured seven ties, the last at the 2:53 mark when a basket by State College sophomore Liz Miller made it 55-55.

Abington's Jackie Dougherty (10 points) put up two and Kristian Woodridge (15 points) made the first of two free throws before Huff's points ended the contest.

When Woodridge missed her second free throw Abington grabbed the rebound and coach Joe Wesley immediately called a time out as State College was about to gain possession on a jump ball.

"They played extremely well," State College coach Bethany Irwin said. "I think we played a little flat."

State College led 17-13 at the end of the first quarter with nine of its 17 points provided by Suzy Carlson

Sarah O'Shea, who hit a three with seven seconds left in the first period, added two more to stake the Lions to a 23-19 advantage in the second quarter. The lead jumped to 28-21 before Abington outscored the Lions 10-2 to end the first half with the Galloping Ghosts ahead 31-30. A buzzer beater by Dougherty accounted for Abington's one-point advantage.

State College opened the third period with an 11-5 run leading 41-36 after the first three minutes. But Abington climbed back as the Lions managed only three free throws by O'Shea and a bucket by Carly Onkotz in the period's last 4:36. Bush and Woodridge combined to score Abington's nine points and the fourth quarter began with the Galloping Ghosts trailing 46-45.

The game was tied at 47 with 7:21 remaining and again at 53 with 3:41 left and at 55 at 2:53. State College's last threat was at 1:42 when Nicole Scipione converted a three-point play to narrow the Abington lead to 58-59.

State College was unable to score after that as Woodridge and Huff extended Abington's lead from the free throw line.

O'Shea led all scorers with 19 points. Scipione had 11 points and Liz Gabrille had 10 points for the Lions.

Huff was the big scorer for Abington with 18 points followed by Woodridge with 15 and Dougherty with 10.

The Lady Little Lions (6-1) will play tomorrow in the consolation game at 1 p.m. with Latrobe (4-5) who lost to Bishop Carroll 49-27 in the other first round game.

Abington (7-3) and Bishop Carroll (9-0) meet in the championship game at 4 p.m.