Lions Win 2nd Round PIAA Game With North Allegheny
75-62 Victory Leads State Into Quarterfinals vs. Upper St. Clair

Indiana, Pa., March 11, 2003 -- State College's ability to hit free throws and a speedy back court guard combination helped the 25-2 Lady Little Lions defeat North Allegheny (22-7) 75-62 in a second round PIAA tournament game at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

The Lions converted 29 of 35 from the charity stripe and danced away from North Allegheny's full court pressure to reach the state's "elite eight" for the second straight year.

State College will take on WPIAL champion Upper St. Clair at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Friday night at 7. Upper St. Clair, now 29-1, advanced with a come-from-behind 56-48 win over Butler.

The Lady Little Lions' heroics at the free throw line began in the first quarter when senior Suzy Carlson made six in a row. Junior Katlyn Stupar added two more and a deuce to lift State College to a 14-9 advantage at the end of the first period.

North Allegheny's 6-2 senior Kate Hobbs brought the Tigers back with a three-point play to begin the second quarter. Hobbs then follwed a free throw by Rosina Walton with two more from the charity stripe but the Navy-bound senior was whistled for her third foul at the 7:07 mark and sat down for the rest of the quarter.

State College junior Sarah O'Shea, the school's season record holder in 3-pointers, hit one from downtown and Carlson added another to keep the Lions ahead 23-19 but Carlson picked up her third foul with five minutes left in the quarter and was forced to the bench.

Her replacement was sophomore Liz Miller who ignited the State College back court along with senior Liz Gabrielle into a quick scoring machine.

Gabrielle was the biggest beneficiary counting three free throws and two steals which led to solo layups helping establish State's 34-23 halftime advantage.

Hobbs was back in as the third quarter started but only managed three points in the period. Meanwhile, State College leading scorer Nicole Scipione wrapped a deuce and a steal and solo around a Gabrielle free throw keeping the Lions' lead at 39-27.

North Allegheny battled back with a bucket from Walton and another from Laura Dudas. Dudas missed the free throw on a potential 3-point play but sent Carlson to the bench with her fourth foul.

Miller came back in for the Lions and followed a trey by teammate Katlyn Stupar with a coast to coast layup and two free throws to put the Lions up 46-31. Miller added another hoop at the end of the third quarter to give State a 50-36 lead.

The fourth quarter was a foul fest with North Allegheny converting all seven of its free throws and State College sinking 14 of 17. Hobbs fouled out with 2:26 remaining.

The Tigers fought valiantly until the end drawing as close as eight (66-58) with 1:28 remaining. But Carlson and Gabrielle were able to beat the full court press. Carlson made the Tigers pay with four straight free throws and Gabrielle picked their pockets with two straight steals that led to layups.

Hobbs led all scorer with 21 points for North Allegheny followed by Dudas with 12 points and Molly Friel with 10 points.

Carlson finished with 17 points for State College and Liz Gabrielle and Katlyn Stupar both had 14 points. Senior Nicole Scipione also had 13 points.