Women's Basketball Upsets No. 23 Shawnee State to Stay Unbeaten

LIMA, OH - In their third game of the new season, UNOH women's basketball earned their first victory over a ranked opponent since 2020 (No. 14 Siena Heights, 71-69) downing No. 23 Shawnee State 68-61 to improve to 3-0 this season.

The Racers scored the first seven points of the game and controlled the pace of play throughout the first quarter leading 22-10 after one. The Bears were more consistent in the second frame but their offense was streaky starting with the first six points and running out another 8-0 stretch that did enough to pull within two, 29-27, with 2:24 left in the half. UNOH answered with six straight of their own and continued to hold the lead up 35-29 at the break.

Shawnee State continued throw counter punches and worked their way in front, 42-41, for the first time all night at the 3:55 mark of the third quarter. The lead changed hands three more times before the frame concluded but a big three-point bucket at the buzzer by freshman Jordan Mueller put the Racers back on top for good. Twice the Bears cut the lead back back to just two points in the final stanza, but UNOH drilled ten of twelve free throw attempts down the stretch to finish off the 68-61 upset victory.

"I am extremely proud and happy for our girls tonight," stated an exhuberant head coach Matt Vavro after the game. "They exhibited extreme toughness and found a way to beat a really good team. We really dug deep defensively in the fourth quarter and finished the job at the line."

The Racers trailed for just 2:46 of the 40 minutes knocking down 27 of 36 free throw chances as a team.

The night's scoring was paced by Alysia Lawson who earned 23 points including 9-11 from the charity stripe. Lori Huffman continued her strong start to her career pulling down 19 total rebounds, the program's most ever by a freshman, scoring seven and blocking two shots. Fellow freshman Sanaiiya Gray was also a force in the paint blocking a program record six shots with nine points and seven rebounds. Brooke Asher and Olivia Thompson chipped in 14 and twelve points, respectively, combining for seven rebounds and six assists on the night.

UNOH will continue their opening home stand with game four of six at The Garage hosting another non-conference matchup against Bryant & Stratton-Ohio Tuesday night, November 4.