Cresson, PA - The Mount Aloysius Women's Basketball team was unable to hold onto a halftime lead on Saturday against 1st place Hilbert College. The Mounties held Hilbert to only 19 points in the first half, however were unable to stay ahead in the second half as they lost the game 54-41. 

The first period started slowly for both teams as they were only able to score 7 combined points in the first 5 minutes. Lea Sammarco (Patton, PA/Bishop Carroll) started things off for the Mounties as she hit a three from the wing on the second Mount Aloysius possession. After Hilbert tied the game at 5 with 4 minutes remaining, the teams traded baskets for the remainder of the period. Macy King (New Bethlehem, PA/Redbank Valley) hit two free throws to give the Mounties a 1 point lead, however Hilbert was able to respond with a long out of bounds play off the make to hit a lay-up at the buzzer to take a 1 point lead to the first.  

Mount Aloysius used another strong defensive period, combined with clutch shooting to build a 4-point lead at the break. After a Machala Gibbons (Cairnbrook, PA/Bishop McCort) steal, Hannah Kitko (Houtzdale, PA/Moshannon Valley) hit a lay-up to put the Mounties back on top. Gibbons followed this up with a three from the top of the circle to put the Mounties up 4 with 6:43 to go in the half. Hilbert cut into the lead with minutes to go, until Breana Kendrick (Broad Top City, PA/Tussey Mountain) hit a three pointer with 8 seconds left in the half to restore the lead heading into the locker room.  

The teams split the majority of the third quarter as they shared 3 ties and 5 lead changes in the first 8 minutes of the half. Kendrick hit two jumpers inside while Gibbons made a mid-range jumper and Rachel Robinson (Leola, PA/Conestoga Valley) added two free throws in the period. After the Robinson free throws, Hilbert went on a near 10-minute span that saw them outscore the Mounties 21-1. Gibbons added 5 late points on a three pointer and a lay-up, however it would not be enough as it only cut the lead to its final deficit of 13 points.  

Gibbons and Kendrick both finished with 13 points. Gibbons played all 40 minutes for the Mounties while Kendrick grabbed 7 rebounds in the contest.  

The Mounties record now sits at 5-14 with a 5-7 record in AMCC play. They currently sit in a tie for 5th place in the conference. After 3 straight games at home, the Mounties will hit the road this week as they travel to Steubenville, OH on Wednesday to take on Franciscan University starting at 6:00 PM.