Novak, Cooper Power Lions Past Scranton in Valley Division Win

Penn State Schuylkill used a dominant middle two quarters and steady composure at the line to secure a 54-42 victory over Penn State Scranton on Monday night in Schuylkill Haven.

Penn State Schuylkill (6-16, 4-10) set the tone early in a defensive first quarter, edging ahead 9-7 while both teams searched for rhythm. Megan Hauser got the Lions on the board with a jumper off a Mikayla Johnson assist (8:46), and the Lions created extra possessions with work on the glass—Madison Cooper and Tayla Jones both snagged offensive boards to keep possessions alive. A late free throw from Ava Novak at the horn gave Schuylkill a two-point edge after one.

The Lions began to separate in the second quarter behind energy plays, stops, and second-chance opportunities. Cooper scored on a put-back (8:00) and Jones finished a jumper off a Cooper assist (5:54) as Schuylkill steadily built its lead. Johnson knocked down a huge three late in the half (0:38) to cap a 14-point second quarter, and the Lions went into the break up 23-14 after holding Scranton to just seven points in the period.

Schuylkill's best stretch came in the third, when the Lions turned defense into points and controlled the game with poise. Johnson consistently got to the stripe, converting four straight free throws to open the half's scoring surge (8:58 and 7:52). The Lions continued to pressure and force mistakes—Novak picked off a pass for a steal (9:01), and Cooper added a steal of her own (4:22) during a span that kept Scranton stuck at 14 points for nearly the entire quarter. Offensively, the Lions executed with balance: Katelyn Otto finished a jumper off a Novak assist (7:07), Novak scored on a Halimi assist (4:34), and then buried a three (2:45) as Schuylkill outscored Scranton 16-6 in the third to take a commanding 39-20 lead into the final period.

Scranton made its push in the fourth, scoring 22 points and hitting a flurry of threes—Karma Paez drilled back-to-back triples early (9:15 and 8:36) and later added two more late (2:12 and 0:21). But Schuylkill answered every time it needed to, with Novak repeatedly stepping into midrange jumpers and Cooper facilitating to steady the offense. Otto's bucket-and-one at 2:52 helped re-establish control, and the Lions closed the door by continuing to get to the line and limiting second-chance damage. Even with Scranton's late surge, Schuylkill never let the momentum fully swing, sealing a 54-42 win.

Notables

Ava Novak led the Lions with 12 points (5-12 FG) and hit a key third-quarter three to push the lead to 19.

Mikayla Johnson posted 13 points and lived at the line, going 10-for-15 with 4 assists and 2 steals.

Madison Cooper delivered an all-around night: 8 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block.

Katelyn Otto added 9 points, 8 rebounds, and a block, while Noy Halimi chipped in a defensive presence with a block and key minutes.

Schuylkill won the battle on the boards 41-33 and went 16-for-21 at the free-throw line.