Cresson, PA - The Mount Aloysius Women's Basketball team saw its comeback attempt against Penn State Altoona fall short in the AMCC Game of the Week. Despite trailing by 9 at the half, the Mounties worked to cut into the Penn State Altoona lead however fell by a final score of 67-64.
Before the start of the action, the Mounties took a few moments to recognize Senior
Breana Kendrick. On January 16th, Kendrick scored her 1,000th career point, becoming the 6th player in program history to reach the milestone. Kendrick is averaging 16.6 points per game this season, which is third in the conference.
Mount Aloysius started the game slowly, however were quickly able to push ahead and build a first quarter lead. After falling behind 5-2, the Mounties scored 10 of the next 12 points to move ahead.
Hannah Kitko (Houtzdale, PA/Moshannon Valley) started the run with a jumper in the lane.
Rachel Robinson (Leola, PA/Conestoga Valley) put the Mounties ahead after hitting a three from the left wing. Both Kendrick (Broad Top City, PA/Tussey Mountain) and
Lea Sammarco (Patton, PA/Bishop Carroll) both made baskets to finish the run and put the Mounties up 5. Robinson pushed the lead to 7 with over two minutes to go, however Penn State Altoona was able to pull one back at the buzzer to finish the quarter 17-12. The Mounties struggled in the second quarter as Altoona used some 14-2 run to take the lead midway through the second. Robinson hit another jumper to cut the deficit tto 4 points, however Penn State Altoona scored the final 5 points of the period to build the 9 point halftime lead.
The two teams traded baskets through the first half of the third period, as the Mounties found themselves down 11 with five minutes to go in the quarter. Robinson, Kendrick and Sammarco made layups on three straight possessions to move the lead to 5 and force a Penn State Altoona timeout. Both teams continued to score through the third with the Lions restoring the lead every time Mount Aloysius attempted to catch up. The Mounties then scored 5 unanswered in the final minute, a layup from Kendrick and a three pointer from
Machala Gibbons (Cairnbrook, PA/Bishop McCort) to move the game to the final period with a score of 56-53.
In the 4th Gibbons hit another three to put the Mounties up 1 with 6:42 to go, however they were unable to hold onto the slim lead as the Lions held the Mounties to 1 point over the next 3 minutes to restore the 5 point lead. With 2:07 to go, Kendrick drove to the basket and hit a layup and 40 seconds later
Macy King (New Bethlehem, PA/Redbank Valley) scored a bucket to put the Mounties down 1. Mount Aloysius had 2 attempts to take the lead in the final seconds, however were unable to take advantage as Penn State Altoona was able to convert 2 late free throws to go up 3. Gibbons had one final shot to tie the game however her three pointer from the wing could not find the target, ending the game.
Kendrick led all scorers, finishing with 18 points while shooting 50% from the field. Robinson scored 16 points in the contest while grabbing 6 rebounds. Gibbons finished with 11 points and dished out 6 assists.
The loss moves the Mounties record to 5-13 overall with a 5-6 record in conference play. They currently sit in a tie for 5th place. The Mounties will be back in action over the weekend as they will host Hilbert College, who sits in a tie at the top of the conference. The game will begin at 1:00 PM in the ACWC.
