ABINGTON, Pa. – Suffocating defense from the Penn State Abington women's basketball team help them to a 62-49 win over Cairn University on Tuesday night. With the win, the Nittany Lions improve to 3-1 before hitting conference action.

Senior Symantha Marrero (Philadelphia, PA) and junior Shayna Rodriguez (Philadelphia, PA) topped the scorers with 20 points each, while Rodriguez chipped in eight rebounds, eight assists and six steals in the victory. After tonight Rodriguez sits only 24 points away from breaking 1000 points for her career, being only the fourth in program history. Freshman Iman Richmond (Chicago, IL) made her presence known with a double-double scoring 12 points and scooping 11 boards.

A very sloppy first quarter led to a defensive struggle between the Nittany Lions and the Highlanders.  Rodriguez powered the Nittany Lions in the quarter scoring eight of their 11 points, while the Highlanders earned their points in the paint.

In the second period Richmond kicked off the scoring with her shot from downtown, and senior Brittany Keyes (Huntingdon Valley, PA) followed with a three-ball of her own only seconds later. Abington pushed its lead to double digits, but Cairn would hang around earner their points at the free throw line. Behind their clutch shooting from the arch, the Nittany Lions held a 15-point advantage going into the break.

Coming out of halftime, each team traded shots in the first few seconds of the period.  Turnovers from both teams stifled their offenses and neither could gain momentum.

The offenses broke out in the fourth quarter with the Nittany Lions grinding away to earn tough points in the paint. Their lead was never in jeopardy holding a double-digit advantage the rest of way.

The Nittany Lions will have the holiday off and be back in action on Tuesday November 28, for Hype Night when they host the College of Saint Elizabeth. During halftime of the men's game, the Athletic Department will honor all of the regular season champions and the 2017 men's soccer NEAC champions, by raising their banners.