by Christina Roukas

ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona's women's basketball team had its five-game winning streak put to an end on Saturday, when the Lions lost 103-52 to Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference opponent Penn State Behrend in the Junker Center.

Trailing 4-0 early in the first quarter, Emma Kitko (Houtzdale, PA/Moshannon Valley) made a three to put the Lions (8-8, 5-1 AMCC) on the board. Avana Sayles (Venetia, PA/Peters Township) hit a three-pointer later in the quarter to keep her team within six, 20-14. But Penn State Behrend (13-4, 5-1 AMCC) went on an 11-point scoring streak that stretched into the second quarter, until Jordan Bisigani's (Pittsburgh, PA/Peters Township) layup halted the run to make it 31-16. By halftime, Behrend had a healthy 35-point lead, 50-22, against Penn State Altoona.

Penn State Altoona found some rhythm early in the second half, scoring 20 points during the third quarter. Sayles had nine points during the period, and a Jaidyn McCracken (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis) three-pointer made it 69-34 at 3:27 of the quarter. Kitko connected from the three-point line once again to make it 76-39, and Sydney Barnett (Suwanee, GA/North Gwinnett) made a three-pointer to end the quarter, putting the score at 81-42.

Barnett's jump shot midway through the fourth quarter made it 88-44, and she connected from three-point range again later in the period to put the score at 92-51. However, the Lions were unable to do enough to overcome Behrend, and the home team won by 51 points.

Sayles led the Lions with a season-high 24 points, and she also grabbed 13 rebounds to clinch her eighth double-double. Additionally, Sayles finished with a game-high four blocks and team-best two steals, and her total of 11 field goals made is tied for the sixth-most in a game in team history.

Barnett finished with eight points off the bench, while Bisignani and Kitko finished with seven and six points, respectively.

The Penn State Altoona's women's basketball team heads back to Adler Arena this Wednesday, January 25 to play AMCC opponent La Roche University. Tipoff is set at 7:00 p.m.