Cresson, PA - Behind a terrific performance from Machala Gibbons (Cairnbrook, PA/Bishop McCort) and a strong defensive effort for the final three periods, the Mount Aloysius Women's Basketball Team picked up their 7th win of the season Wednesday night, defeating Pitt-Greensburg 51-35.

Despite an early Gibbons 3 pointer, the Mounties fell behind early as Pitt-Greensburg scored a quick 10 points to build a 7 point lead. After a Mountie timeout, Lea Sammarco (Patton, PA/Bishop Carroll) hit a three to end the Bobcat run, however Pitt-Greensburg responded with 5 straight points to push the lead to 9. The Mounties began their comeback at the end of the quarter as Gibbons hit a free throw and a late jumper in the paint to set the deficit to 6 at the end of the first period. Sammarco continued the run after the short break with another 3 from the wing. The teams traded baskets throughout the majority of the period as the Bobcats were able to keep a slight lead through the first 9 minutes of play in the second. Rachel Robinson (Leola,PA/Conestoga Valley) was able to tie the game with 42 seconds left in the half, and after a defensive stop, Gibbons drove into the lane and hit a layup in the final seconds of the quarter to give Mount Aloysius a two point lead at halftime.

After the break, Breana Kendrick (Broad Top City, PA/Tussey Mountain) hit an early three to extend the Mounties lead to 5. Following the Kendrick three, the Bobcats went on a 8-0 run to move to a 3 point lead. After the Greensburg run, the Mounties locked down on defense, as they held their opponents scoreless in the final 5 minutes of the period. Mount Aloysius also struggled to score during the final 5 minutes, however were able to tie the game at 32 with just under 3 to go and Robinson hit a three at the buzzer to take a three point lead into the 4th. In the final period, Pitt Greensburg scored two early buckets, however the Mounties tightened their defense again and allowed the Bobcats to score only one basket in the final 8:35, including a scoreless run for the final 5:39. Back-to-back three pointers from Kendrick and Sammarco put the Mounties up 7 and ahead for good. Kendrick scored 10 points in the final quarter while Gibbons scored 4 and dished out 4 assists in the period. 

Gibbons went the distance for the Mounties playing all 40 minutes. She scored 12 points grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 10 assists. Her triple double is the first for the program in over 7 years. Gibbons not only racked up points, rebounds and assists, but also did so very efficiently. She scored her 12 points on 5-8 shooting including making her only three point attempt. She also posted a 10 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. Kendrick led the Mounties in points with 15 on 6-12 shooting. Finally Sammarco also went the distance for the Mounties and finished in double figures with 12 points. 

The win moves the Mounties to 7-15 on the year with a 7-8 record in conference play. They will return to action on Saturday when they host 4th place Pitt Bradford on Senior Day, with the game starting after the Senior Day Presentation at 2:00 PM. In their first match-up the Mounties picked up a 57-38 victory.