Women's Basketball Dominates PSU York, 91-69, on Senior Night
BETHLEHEM, PA (January 28, 2023) - The Penn State Lehigh Valley improved to 15-3 overall and 11-1 in conference play with a 91-69 win over visiting Penn State York on Senior Night Saturday evening infront of a crowd of 500+ at Stabler Arena. Eleven players scored led by Nia Newman with 19 points and Jah'nel Oliver with 12 points. Lehigh Valley's Jah'nel Oliver and Sage Christopher were recognized for their dedication and commitment to the women's basketball team.
Sage Christopher, who was escorted by her mom, Nikki, dad Todd and Brother Cade. Sage has been a member of the Women's Basketball program for 2 seasons, transferring from Lehigh Carbon Community College. Christopher has started in 21 out of 43 games for PSULV up to this point, compiling a total of 220 points and 223 rebounds. This season, Christopher is averaging 6 points per game and is 2nd on the team averaging 6 rebounds per game. For her outstanding hard work, selfless attitude and leadership, Christopher was chosen Captain by her teammates this season and was named the 2022 John Fritz Sportsmanship Award winner. Christopher has superior academic excellence and has been on the Dean's List 6 times and was named to the USCAA All-Academic team and PSUAC All-Academic team for having a 3.5 and higher GPA. In addition, Christopher traveled to Argentina this past summer to represent the United States and play basketball against Argentinian club teams. Sage will graduate from Penn State with a degree in Psychology and plans to pursue a job working in criminal psychology. . Sage is a graduate of Northwestern Lehigh High School and from New Tripoli, PA.
Jah'nel Oliver, who was escorted by her mom LaShawn, dad Bernard and brother Bernard Jr. Jah has been an intricate member of the women's basketball program for 4 seasons, the list of athletic and academic accolades that she achieved in her time has been incredible and she will go down as one of the most decorated players to put on a PSULV uniform, compiling a win-loss total of 76 wins and 17 losses. Jah has been the teams go to player, compiling 1121 points (becoming the 6th WBB player to reach the 1K milestone), 438 rebounds, 316 assist and 212 steals. In each of Jah's seasons, she helped her team qualify for the PSUAC playoffs every year including 2 appearances in PSUAC Championship games. Helping her team to the programs first ever PSUAC Championship and a school's best 24 straight wins in her freshman season. For her athletic achievements, Jah was named 2x PSUAC Defensive Player of the Year, PSUAC 1st Team All-Conference, PSUAC Honorable Mention All-Conference, USCAA 2nd Team All-American and her jersey was hung in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee this past summer. Jah has also demonstrated academic excellence, being named to PSUAC All-Academic and the Dean's List. Jah will graduate from Penn State with a degree in Cybersecurity Analytics & Operations and is planning to get a successful job within her degree field. Jah is a graduate of Easton High School and from Easton, PA.
Thank You Sage and Jah for all your hard work & commitment to our basketball programs.
Lehigh Valley will play their final "home" regular season game this Wednesday when Penn State Hazleton comes to town for a 6:00 PM tip-off at Muhlenberg College.
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