by Christina Roukas

BRADFORD, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona women's basketball team beat Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference opponent Pitt-Bradford on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 66-48.

This is the Lions' third straight win, making them 5-13 overall and 4-7 in the AMCC.

In the first quarter, the Lions played strong defense against the Panthers. Pitt-Bradford (2-15, 0-9 AMCC) put up a total of only six points compared to the Lions, who put up 11 points in the quarter. Emily Marines (Nanty Glo, PA/Blacklick Valley) scored five of her team's 11 points in the period.

In the second quarter, the Panthers continued to hustle and put up a total of thirteen points, but the Lions held on to the lead, ending the first half 28-19. Ellie Matthews (Kennett Square, PA/Kennett) recorded seven points and five rebounds in the second period for Penn State Altoona.

In the third quarter, the Lions had a 15-point lead in the first two minutes of the quarter, 36-21. However, Pitt-Bradford came back, putting up 12 points to lower its deficit to 38-33. The third quarter ended with Penn State Altoona still in front, 48-38. Matthews again led the way for the Lions during the third period, putting eight points on the board and securing five rebounds.

In the fourth quarter, Penn State Altoona put up a total of 18 points, leading by as many as 20 points, 66-46. The Lions came out victorious once again, 66-48. Matthews recorded six points and five rebounds during the fourth quarter, and Megan Hartman (Claysburg, PA/Claysburg-Kimmel) had four points.

Matthews led the Lions on the day with a season-high total of 25 points, as well as a season-high 20 rebounds to pick up her fifth double-double of the year. Matthews' 20 rebounds set a new Penn State Altoona women's basketball team record for the most rebounds in a game by an individual player. She also set a new program single game record for shots attempted with 33, and her 11 field goals made tied for the sixth-most in a game.

Marines added 13 points and eight rebounds for the Lions, and Sarah Huston (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville) had 12 points and a game-high eight assists. Hartman finished with 10 points and five rebounds, and Emma Kitko (Houtzdale, PA/Moshannon Valley) chipped in six points, five rebounds, and a team-high three steals.

Penn State Altoona finished with 58 total rebounds as a team, tying for the fifth-most rebounds in a game in program history.

Pitt-Bradford was led in scoring by Hannah Lary, who finished with 16 points. Cailey Barnett scored 10 points for the Panthers, and Cassidy King had 15 rebounds.

The Penn State Altoona women's basketball team's next game is home against NAIA opponent Carlow University on Monday, January 31. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.