LAS VEGAS, NEV. - With less than a 24-hour turnaround following their opening game of the D3hoops.com Classic, Susquehanna women's basketball took the court Sunday morning local time to face Wittenberg. The River Hawks kept toe-to-toe with the Tigers all day long as their play in the paint and 3-point shooting improved significantly from their Saturday outing against Colorado College. While Wittenberg held on in a 67-61 victory, they had to use all their energy in the final minute to stave off a Susquehanna squad that closed the gap to 62-61 in the closing moments.

The RIver Hawks go to within one thanks to a pair of late free throws from Kenzie Selvaggi and Sydney Weyant. Selvaggi made a game-high four of the team's seven 3-pointers on the day as she finished with 18 points, while Weyant hit a pair of threes as she finished with 12 points. Zoie Maffei had a highlight day with a double-double on 13 points and 11 rebounds, making 7-of-8 free throws and pulling in four offensive boards. Susquehanna made 37.5 of their shots in a 21-of-56 day and outrebounded the Tigers 44-36, including 12 offensive boards that led to 15 second-chance points. Carly George added to the team's loft rebounding total with eight on the day and masterfully turned Wittenberg away with four blocks and totaling six points. Lauren Klein proved to be another formidable presence down low with seven rebounds, all defensive, while adding a game-high six assists with six points. 

Wittenberg found some early momentum thanks to hitting three balls out the gate, finishing 9-of-19 from beyond the arc and two each from Taryn Cash, Karsen Karlblom, Madi Barnett, and Payton Cronen, serving as four of five Tigers scoring in double figures on the day, led by 12 from Cash. Jazmyn Gaines-Burns was the one remaining with 11 points. Despite these merits the Tigers saw a 16-point third-quarter lead at 47-31 nearly vanish as the River Hawks cut the deficit to six entering the fourth, bolstered by threes from Selvaggi and Weyant. Wittenberg succeeded with making the fourth quarter's opening field goals to bring the lead up to 11, but couldn't help Susquehanna from gaining ground as the final quarter unfolded. SU widdled the deficit down to three off another three from Weyant at 60-57, then again at 62-59 after Selvaggi made both her only free throw attempts of the game. George hunkered down on the Tigers' ensuing possession, swatting away a pair of shot attempts in the paint, eventually leading to the River Hawks getting the ball back. Wittenberg forced bonus-carrying Susquehanna to the line, where Weyant connected on both her only free throw attempts of the game to bring the game to within one at 62-61 in the final minute. Wittenberg responded with a Cash layup, then stole the ball as the River Hawks attempted to move quick down the floor, leaving Susquehanna no other option but send the Tigers to the line the rest of the way. 

"Extremely proud of how our team bounced back in today's game against a very good Wittenberg team who will for sure be competing for an NCAC championship," said head coach Gabby Holko. "Our team did a tremendous job sticking to the game plan we set for them. We were able to knock down some shots and get some big defensive stops when we needed them. This experience here at the D3hoops Classic has been amazing for our program. We've gotten to experience some Las Vegas Culture/Experiences while competing against two top teams who I expect to be regionally ranked. Thank you to the D3hoops staff and the sports tour staff for having us and keeping this tradition on."

The River Hawks head back east with a 5-5 record and a new resolve as they engage with 12th-ranked Gettysburg on the road in their final non-conference game of the season on Saturday, Jan. 4. They return to Landmark play Wednesday, Jan. 8 at Drew, then return home Saturday, Jan. 11 hosting Scranton.