Cresson, PA- Despite holding a 1 point halftime lead, the Mount Aloysius Women's Basketball team fell to La Roche College by a score of 67-50 on Wednesday evening.

Despite early struggles on the offensive end from both squads, the Mounties were able to slowly build a 6 point lead over the Redhawks within 5 minutes. Rachel Robinson (Leola, PA/Conestoga Valley) got things started as she scored the first 7 points of the game for Mount Aloysius. She knocked down a midrange jumper to start the scoring, then completed a three point play and hit a lay up to finish her run. Breana Kendrick (Broad Top City, PA/Tussey Mountain) was able to finish things off with a put back layup to force a time out. After the time out, La Roche hit two three point field goals, however Lea Sammarco (Patton, Pa/Bishop Carroll) responded to each with threes of her own. La Roche was able to score the last two baskets of the quarter to put the deficit at two after one period of play. Both teams continued to struggle offensively in the second, only scoring a combined 25 points. After LaRoche continued their run from the end of the first period to build a two point lead, Macy King (New Bethlehem, PA/Redbank Valley) hit two free throws after gathering an offensive rebound to tie the game at 17. Kendrick took over from there, scoring the Mounties next 8 points. In the 5 minute span she hit two inside lay ups and all four free throws she attempted to keep the Mounties on pace with the Redhawks. To end the half, Machala Gibbons (Cairnbrook, PA/Bishop McCort) was able to hit a jumper in the lane with 22 seconds remaining to give the Mounties the one point halftime edge.

In the second half, LaRoche proved to have too much firepower as they shot 65% from the field including 60% from three to put the game away. After 3 quick baskets saw La Roche go up 5, Breana Kendrick completed a three point play to stay close to the visitors, but the Redhawks quickly responded to with an inside lay up and a three to push the lead back to 7. Another Robinson three point play and a Sammarco jumper cut the deficit to 4 two different times. however that was as close as the Mounties would come to catching their opponents for the remainder of the game. Kendrick was able to add 6 more in the final frame, however a strong defensive effort from La Roche put the game away. 

Kendrick led the way for Mount Aloysius, scoring 19 points. She also pulled in 6 rebounds and collected 4 steals. Robinson finished with 14 while Sammarco was the final Mountie to finish in double digits with 10 points. King led the Mounties on the glass grabbing 7 rebounds. 

The Mountie's record is now 8-16 overall and 8-9 in AMCC play. They will travel to Buffalo on Saturday to play Medaille in a game that will likely determine a playoff spot. Mount Aloysius can finish anywhere between 4th place which will earn them a home playoff game to 7th place. The Mounties can clinch a spot in the postseason with a win, yet can also get in with some help from other teams. Tip off will be at 1:00 PM.