SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's basketball team led by as many as 14 points in the first half, but was unable to hold on to its advantage as Seton Hill University overcame the early deficit to steal a victory, 61-58, at Morrow Field House Saturday afternoon.
 
The loss drops The Rock's record to 7-5 on the year overall and 4-3 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division play. Seton Hill improves to 6-6 on the season overall and 3-4 in league competition.
 
Sophomore forward Mallory Heinle, who was making her first start of the season, paced The Rock with 10 points and eight rebounds, five of which came on the offensive end.

Junior guard Lexi Carpenter stuffed the stat sheet with a game-high 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block.
 
Sophomore guard Ciara Patterson and junior guard Audrey Stapleton both added nine points apiece with Patterson also pulling in four rebounds, handing out four assists and making two steals.
 
Freshman forward Morgan Henderson and senior forward Megan Hardiman came off the bench to round out SRU's top performers. Henderson had five points and five rebounds while Hardiman chipped in five points and four assists.
 
Slippery Rock dominated early on, jumping out to a 27-13 lead midway through the second quarter before eventually carrying a 33-24 advantage into halftime. Slippery Rock converted six 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes and held Seton Hill to a 32.1 field goal percentage.
 
However, Seton Hill stormed back in the third quarter to outscore The Rock 21-11 and pull ahead 45-44 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Slippery Rock regrouped to start the fourth quarter as the two teams traded baskets resulting in seven lead changes before SHU's Mariah Wells made a layup to give Seton Hill a 55-54 lead with 3:16 remaining in regulation.
 
Seton Hill proceeded to push its lead to three points, 59-56, with 1:55 left to play before Patterson forced SHU into a turnover at midcourt to give The Rock the ball. Carpenter drove to the paint on the ensuing possession and hit a jumper to trim the lead to just 59-58 with 49 seconds showing on the clock.
 
SRU's defense once again forced the Griffins into another turnover, but a Carpenter jumper on the next play just missed and Slippery Rock was forced to foul. Seton Hill's Lindsey Milfsud made both free throws.

Carpenter drove the length of the court and got off a final 3-point attempt from the top of the key at the buzzer, but the game-tying shot just rimmed out to give Seton Hill the 61-58 victory.
 
For the game, Slippery Rock shot 33.8 percent from the field. SRU committed eight turnovers while forcing 15 Seton Hill miscues. Slippery Rock turned the Griffins' turnovers into 17 points. SRU also held advantages over SHU in points in the paint (24-22) and fast break points (8-2).
 
Seton Hill, which had four players score at least 10 points, shot 41.8 percent from the field and made seven 3-pointers while outrebounding SRU 41-39. Halie Torris scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead the Griffins.
 
Slippery Rock will not play again until Jan. 3 when it travels east to play at Bloomsburg University 3 p.m. Jan. 3 in PSAC crossover action. Slippery Rock is 4-0 this season against teams in the PSAC East.