Cannistraci Sets Scoring Record in Loss to Mount Aloysius
by Christina Roukas
CRESSON, Pa. – A second half comeback by Mount Aloysius College sank the Penn State Altoona women's basketball team, 59-55, in Wednesday evening's Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference game in the Athletic Convocation and Wellness Center.
In the loss, Penn State Altoona senior Alexis Cannistraci (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone) scored a game-high 20 points to move into first place on the women's basketball program's all-time scoring list, passing former Lion and former teammate Finnley Christine (2016-20) and her previous record total of 1,276 points. Cannistraci now holds Penn State Altoona's all-time scoring title with 1,286 points, and counting.
Penn State Altoona (1-9, 0-4 AMCC) built a 29-18 lead by halftime, but Mount Aloysius (1-6, 1-1 AMCC) outscored the Lions 41-26 during the second half to win by a close final score. Both teams played an aggressive game through all four quarters.
Megan Hartman (Claysburg, PA/Claysburg-Kimmel) started the game with a jump shot, putting the Lions on the scoreboard, 2-0. Penn State Altoona consistently played strong defense against the Mounties, and the Lions ended the first quarter in the lead, 13-9. In the second quarter, Sarah Huston (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville) made two early foul shots and later made a three-pointer, helping the Lions to a 25-16 lead. Penn State Altoona finished the second quarter with an 11-point lead, 29-18.
By the third quarter, the Mounties came back with the help of aggressive defense against the Lions. Mount Aloysius put up a total of 19 points in the third quarter, taking a 37-35 lead.
In the fourth and final quarter of the game, the Mounties continued to play a strong game. Mount Aloysius' Bree Garzel made a three-pointer followed by a layup and two free throws, keeping the Mounties in the lead 41-37. But the Lions came back with a layup from Jordan Bisignani (Venetia, PA/Peters Township), tying the score 41-41 with only eight minutes left in the game.
However, Garzel broke the tie with a layup, putting the Mounties back in the lead, 43-41. In the final three minutes of the game, the score was once again tied, 50-50, on a layup scored by Ellie Matthews (Kennett Square, PA/Kennett). But, for the second time, Garzel broke the tie with two foul shots to put Mount Aloysius up 52-50. In the final seconds left in the game, Cannistraci made a three-pointer, but Mount Aloysius won 59-55. Cannistraci scored a team-high 10 points during the quarter.
In addition to Cannistraci's game-high 20 points, she also led all players in rebounding with a season-high 16 boards. Matthews scored 12 points to go along with six rebounds, and Huston also put up 12 points while adding four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Garzel led Mount Aloysius in scoring with 17 points. Carly Stigers finished with 15 points, and Cameron Bates had 15 rebounds and 10 points.
Next, the Penn State Altoona women's basketball team will play AMCC opponent Pitt-Bradford on Saturday, December 11 at home. Tipoff for that game has been set for 2:00 pm.
