SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Mansfield University women's basketball team (1-6, 0-4 PSAC) built an early first-quarter lead on the road, but Western Division foe Slippery Rock University (7-2, 2-1 PSAC) held the advantage the rest of the way to hang on for a 59-50 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) victory on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 18.
 
The Mounties were red hot from the field to start the game, shooting 56 percent (9-of-16) from the floor and knocking down three triples, to build a 23-11 lead after the first period. The Mounties held The Rock to 22 percent (4-of-18) shooting in the quarter.
 
However, Slippery Rock flipped the script in the second quarter, holding MU to just three makes, while putting up 19 points to trim the Mountaineers advantage to two, 32-30 heading into the break.
 
The trend continued in the third and fourth quarter as SRU outscored the Mounties by six in the third (22-16) and five in the fourth (17-12) to seal the victory. The Rock knocked down 58 percent of their shots (18-of-31) in the second half, while holding the Mounties to 27 percent (9-of-34) shooting.
 
The Rock won the battle on the glass 49-25, while leading in second-chance points, 25-5. Slippery Rock also took advantage of excellent play from their second unit, leading in bench points, 28-8.
 
Jasmine Hilton led three Mountaineers in double figures with 16 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and a block. Hilton knocked down five shots from the floor, including three from behind the arch. Jasmine Perez and Alivia Paeglow rounded out the Mounties in double figures, finishing with 14 points, while pulling down seven and six rebounds, respectively. Madison Fox added eight points on two makes from 3-point land. Cydney Stanton was strong in the paint, finishing with a game-high three blocks and four rebounds in limited action.
 
For SRU, Kennedy Middleton led four players in double figures with a game-high 19 points, adding nine rebounds and four assists.
 
The Mounties are back on the court tomorrow afternoon, Dec. 19 when they visit Edinboro University at 1 p.m. in PSAC crossover action.