Lions Defeat Wildcats for First Win
by Christina Roukas
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona women's basketball team won their first game of the season against the Penn College Wildcats on Thursday night by a final score of 63-46.
Penn College (0-4) began the first quarter of the game by scoring the first two points, but Penn State Altoona (1-3) came back with a three-pointer by sophomore Megan Hartman (Claysburg, PA/Claysburg-Kimmel). The Lions held the lead throughout the rest of the game.
Senior Alexis Cannistraci (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone) led Penn State Altoona in scoring, putting up a career-high 30 points while grabbing 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Freshman Ellie Matthews (Kennett Square, PA/Kennett) led Penn State Altoona with 12 total rebounds, including 10 defensive rebounds, and she scored 10 points. Cannistraci blocked three shots, while Matthews had two blocks.
The Lions kept an 11-point lead against the Wildcats in the second quarter, 23-12, with 6:59 to go. Penn State Altoona ended the first half of the game in the lead, 29-24.
In the third quarter, the Wildcats tied the game 33-33 at 6:40 with two free throws by Rachel Teats. But the Lions reclaimed the lead for the rest of the third quarter by outscoring Penn College 10-2.
In the fourth quarter, the Lions continued to keep up with the strong defense against the Wildcats. Penn State Altoona put up 20 points in the fourth quarter, ending the game with a big 63-46 win.
The victory represented the first collegiate head coaching win for first-year Penn State Altoona head coach Halee Adams.
The Penn State Altoona women's basketball team will be traveling to play Bethany College on Saturday, November 20. Tip-off for that game has been set for 1:00 p.m.