LOCK HAVEN – The (9-5) Bald Eagles have gotten off to an up and down start so far in their 2025-26 season, but since the beginning of the new year Lock Haven has been on a tear. Coming off the heels of a big win over Kutztown, they put together their best performance of the season, dominating the Mansfield Mountaineers (2-13) in all phases en route to a 91-41 win. That margin marks the first time since 2009 that the Bald Eagles have had a win of 50 points or more.

Going into Tuesday’s game The Haven did make another change to their starting lineup, moving Julia Whesper from the starting five back to the bench in exchange for Nufi Nemale. Nemale had seen an increased role over the past few games, leading the team in scoring at the end of the first half in each of their last three games prior to Tuesday.

Nemale’s hot streak would continue against the Mountaineers, scoring 15 points and making four threes, adding a third dimension to a Bald Eagles offense that has been severely lacking in three point shooting. On the season Lock Haven averaged shooting just 26 percent from three, but spurred on by Namale’s shooting the Bald Eagles seemingly could not miss, as a team shooting 53 percent from beyond the arc.

“It came from my teammates.” Nemale said when asked about her performance from three against Mansfield. “They just find me and give me confidence to shoot the ball, it’s just what I do.”

It wasn’t just a good game from the new starter however, as Lock Haven’s entire starting five put on a show against the Mountaineers. All five starters ended the game in double figures, combining to score 68 of the teams 91 points. Alana Robinson ended as the leading scorer with 17 points, with Rhylin Rouse adding 13 and 8, and Madilne Evans scoring another 11 and 16 double double. Jenaidia Jordan, not to be outdone, ended her night with 12/11/5 and five steals.

While the offense had a great day, the real star of the show was how Lock Haven did on the defensive end, especially when matched up against one of the best scorers in the nation in Mansfield’s Katie Sheeler. Coming into the game Sheeler was the top scorer in the entire Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), and tied for 21st in all of Division II (20.1 PPG). While stopping her would be a tall task, Coach Smith’s team was ready and then some, holding Sheeler to just two points in 34 minutes, completely erasing her from the game.

“We did not want her to score, period.” Lock Haven head coach Jenifer Smith said when asked about the gameplan to stop Sheeler. “If you’re going to come into our house as the leading scorer in the conference, we are going to shut you down. She had no three pointers and that is such a huge part of her game, I’m really proud across the board.”

As if the win could get any better, losses from East Stroudsburg and Kutztown means as of Tuesday Jan 13th, Lock Haven sits alone atop the PSAC East standings.

The Bald Eagles will look to continue their recent hot streak on Saturday, returning home to take on the Millersville Marauders. Tip off for that game will take place at the Thomas Field House at 1 p.m.