The team standing in their way was the East Stroudsburg Warriors, who sat at third place in the East and a win would keep their hopes of capturing the top spot in play.

After a hard fought 40 minutes that saw a pair of stars take the spotlight, it was the Haven (19-5) who would come out on top, beating the Warriors 70-59.

Leading the way for the Bald Eagles was standout forward Rhylin Rouse. Rouse scored a career high 26 points on an efficient 10-15 from the field in the win, dominating down low and causing headaches for the ESU defense.

“She really stepped up today,” Lock Haven head coach Jennifer Smith said after the game when talking about Rouses performance. “She was ready to go. We have so many great players that take turns shining, and today was definitely her time to shine.”

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven's Alana Robinson (12) passes the ball during a women's basketball game against East Stroudsburg on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Thomas Fieldhouse. The Bald Eagles won 70-59.

Alongside Rouse it was Jenadia Jordan bearing much more of the offensive load than she has this season, as the PSAC leader in assists turning back into the slashing guard she was as an underclassman and providing the Haven with 16 points.

Meanwhile for East Stroudsburg star Sophomore Brie Droege absolutely stole the show, scoring a game high 29 points on 12-16 from the field. Droege felt unstoppable at times, as no matter what defender, or scheme the Haven threw at her, the baskets just kept on piling up.

The first half was a very tight affair, with both sides trading basket for basket as both sets of defense’s scrambled to try and solve the other side.

On the Bald Eagles side, their pairing of Rouse and Madeline Evans down low proved forceful, bending the ESU defense to their will and converting tough bucket after tough bucket. Pair that with a more aggressive game from Jordan, and timely baskets from Alana Robinson, and it was business as usual from the fourth best offense in the PSAC.

On the Warriors’ side of things, their high-paced, screen-heavy offense began to overwhelm the Haven defensive scheme as the game wore on. Droege made great off ball cuts and movement to constantly find open space and began to pick the Bald Eagles apart.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven's Rhlyn Rouse (34) takes an open layup during a women's basketball game against East Stroudsburg on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Thomas Fieldhouse. The Bald Eagles won 70-59.

At the end of the first half, Lock Haven held on to a 33-24 lead, and despite a furious ESU comeback attempt in the third, the star power of the Bald Eagles proved too much. Outscoring the Warriors by nine in the fourth quarter to seal their win and their place atop the East.

“It was the goal this season to go back, to back, to back.” Coach Smith said after the win. “It isn’t easy to do but it was really important to us, especially with this being our last year in the East.”

Notably, due to the rules of the PSAC tournament, this year the highest seed on the eastern side of the conference will host the final four of the tournament. So that means if Lock Haven wins their upcoming quarterfinals matchup in a few weeks time, all roads will lead back to the Thomas Fieldhouse.

Though before any of that can be decided, the Haven still have three regular season games remaining on their schedule. And off the heels of a now 13 game win streak, the Bald Eagles will hope to keep building their momentum going into the PSAC playoffs. Lock Haven will next travel to West Chester to take on the Golden Rams on Saturday.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven's Madeline Evans (25) obtains a loose ball during a women's basketball game against East Stroudsburg on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Thomas Fieldhouse. The Bald Eagles won 70-59.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven's Julia Whesper (1) dribbles the ball as the scans the court during a women's basketball game against East Stroudsburg on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Thomas Fieldhouse. The Bald Eagles won 70-59.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven's Lacey Kriebel (11) looks to pass the ball during a women's basketball game against East Stroudsburg on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Thomas Fieldhouse. The Bald Eagles won 70-59.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven's Jenadia Jordan (4) drives to the basket during a women's basketball game against East Stroudsburg on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Thomas Fieldhouse. The Bald Eagles won 70-59.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven's Nufi Nemale-Djiegoue (5) drives to the basket during a women's basketball game against East Stroudsburg on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Thomas Fieldhouse. The Bald Eagles won 70-59.