Altoona, PA- Despite jumping out to a first quarter lead, the Mount Aloysius Women's Basketball team was unable to stay ahead as it lost its first AMCC Conference game at Penn State Altoona by a score of 68-60. 

The Mounties used a strong inside and outside game to build the early lead. Caroline Showalter (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood Antis) started the scoring with a put back layup, and Machala Gibbons (Cairnbrook, PA/Bishop McCort) followed it with a three pointer from the left wing to put the Mounties into the lead. They would slowly grow their lead through the period, culminating with a deep Lea Sammarco (Patton, PA/Bishop Carroll) three to push the lead to 10. 

Sammarco started off the second frame with another three, however the Lions went on a run over the next 5 minutes, cutting the lead to 5. The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half and the Mounties took the 5 point lead into the locker room. Rachel Robinson (Leola, PA/Conestoga Valley) started off the half with a driving layup to push the lead to seven, but the Lions were able to slowly chip into the lead again, and the Mounties moved to the final period with a three point lead.

The Mounties fought throughout the final quarter, however their short bench would show late in the game as they seemed to tire and slow down on defensive rotations. This allowed the Lions to hit three straight threes to move into a tie and take a six point lead with 6:15 to go. Mount Aloysius cut the lead to 4 with 2:41 to go, but were not able to get closer than that for the remainder of the game.

Lea Sammarco led the Mounties with 21 points shooting 8-16 from the field an 4-10 from three. She also collected 9 rebounds. Breana Kendrick (Broad Top City, PA/Tussey Mountain) recorded a double-double, scoring 16 points and hauling in 10 rebounds. Gibbons also reached double digits, finishing with 10 points. She also had a strong game at the point, dishing out 6 assists and not committing any turnovers.

The Mounties (0-6, 0-1) will play their first home game of the season on Saturday when they host AMCC foe Medaille College. The game will start at 2:00 PM.