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SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. (Jan. 4, 2013) – Cold shooting served as evidence of a 15-day layoff for the Edinboro women's basketball team, but the Fighting Scots were able to shake off the rust and score their fifth straight win in a 63-53 decision at Shippensburg on Friday evening.

Edinboro shot 35.8 percent (24-of-67) from the field, but Shippensburg, also fresh from a long holiday break, struggled just the same to the tune of 34.8 percent (16-46) from the floor. The Scots were able to put three players in double figure scoring, led by Kiara Brown's 17-point effort. Samantha Blazetic turned in her sixth double-double performance of the season with a game-high 16 points, 13 rebounds as well as three blocks. The three blocks for Blazetic move her into fifth place on the all-time PSAC record books with 241. Darche' Jackson finished with a stat sheet-filling 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. 

With the win Edinboro improves to 8-2 on the season and 5-1 in the PSAC while Shippensburg falls to 7-4, 3-3.

The Fighting Scots set the tone from the outset, racing to a 12-1 lead over the first 4:41 of game action. During that span, Blazetic led the charge with six quick points to go along with five rebounds. She would pick up her second foul and be forced to the bench with 13:46 remaining in the half, but Edinboro was able to maintain control.

Shippensburg opened ice cold from the floor, missing its first seven field goals while the freeze lasted nearly eight minutes before Stephanie Knauer's layup gave the Raiders their first basket and cut the score to 12-5.

Edinboro refused to relent, however, and stretched its lead to 21-7 with 9:17 remaining in the half following a three-pointer from Lauren Hippo. The Fighting Scots kept their lead at double digits for the remainder of the half, finishing the opening stanza on a jumper from Brown to advance their margin to a 34-18 score at halftime.

Key to Edinboro's hot start was its dominance on the boards, leading Shippensburg in rebounds by a 31-13 total during the first half. Aignee Freeland hauled in 10 rebounds in the first half alone. During the opening half, the Boro defense also limited the Raiders to a mere 23 percent shooting (5-22).

Shippensburg mustered a rally out of the locker room, however. A 12-4 burst from the Raiders cut the score to 38-30 at the first media timeout of the second half. Shippensburg would close to within seven following a jumper by Sarah Strybuc with 11:32 to play, but a swift turnaround gave all the momentum back to the visitors.

Jackson made one of two shots at the line and following a pair of missed shots by both teams, responded with a steal and feed to Blazetic for a quick lay-in to extend the lead back to 10. 

Edinboro finished with a 49-31 edge on the glass and dished out 19 assists to Shippensburg's 10. Nineteen of Edinboro's rebounds came on the offensive glass.

Freeland pulled down a career-best 12 rebounds to go along with six points and three blocks, also a career-high for the freshman. Laurel Lindsay did not score, but did the little things to help lead to victory by dishing out seven assists and recording five rebounds and three steals.

Shawna Wert led Shippensburg with 15 points while Knauer and Dana Wert each had 11.

Edinboro jumps right back into action in less than 24 hours as it heads to PSAC East-leading Millersville for a 5:30 p.m. tip on Saturday.

GAME NOTES: Edinboro tallied a season-high nine blocks (Blazetic, 3; Freeland, 3; Brown, 1; Jackson, 1; Bobbi Baker, 1) ... Baker's block was the first of her college career ... the three-pointer by Hippo in the first half was the first of her career in red and white ... the Fighting Scots equaled the point total from their win at Shippensburg in the last meeting between squads - a 63-61 win on Dec. 3, 2011 ... Shippensburg was just 1-of-12 from 3 ... the Raiders entered the day in a four-way tie for second in the PSAC East ... Edinboro led on the offensive glass, 19-5. The five offensive rebounds by Shippensburg were a season low by a Scots opponent, as were the 46 shot attempts by the Raiders.