by Christina Roukas

BUFFALO, N.Y. –  The Penn State Altoona women's basketball team lost against Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference opponent Medaille College on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 60-43.

Starting the game off with a three-pointer and a charge, the Mavericks (4-4, 1-0 AMCC) held a strong lead throughout the entire game. Emily Marines (Nanty Glo, PA/Blacklick Valley) got the Lions (1-8, 0-3 AMCC) on the board, scoring two points at 8:49 of the first quarter. The Mavericks' defense was strong in the quarter, including a Xaneya Thomas steal and layup at 4:41 to keep the Mavericks in the lead, 14-5. By the end of the first quarter, the Lions were held to 20 percent in shooting, compared to the Mavericks' 47 percent. Medaille ended the first quarter with a 20-7 lead.

However, in the second quarter, the Lions' defense was stronger. Ellie Matthews (Kennett Square, PA/Kennett) led Penn State Altoona with two blocks during the period, and the Lions scored 11 points in the quarter while holding the Mavericks to only seven points. Medaille went into halftime with a 28-17 lead.

Picking up the pace in the third quarter, missed opportunities by the Lions led to baskets by Medaille. By the final minute of the third, however, the Lions lowered their deficit by six points, 35-29, on a layup from Sarah Huston (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville). But the Mavericks increased their lead to ten points, 39-29, by the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, both teams played strong defense. But the Mavericks ended the game on a scoring run of seven points over the last 3:15 of the game to hold their lead. The Lions put up a total of 14 points in the fourth quarter, but the Mavericks scored 21 points to win 60-43.

Huston led Penn State Altoona with 11 points and 11 rebounds for her first collegiate double-double. Alexis Cannistraci (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone) added 10 points and eight rebounds, and she is now just 11 points away from setting a new Penn State Altoona women's basketball program record for the most points scored in a career.

Matthews added nine points and nine rebounds for the Lions, and Megan Hartman (Claysburg, PA/Claysburg-Kimmel) also scored nine points while finishing with three steals.

The Penn State Altoona women's basketball team will be playing at nearby AMCC rival Mount Aloysius College on Wednesday, December 8. Tip-off for that game has been set for 5:30 pm.