Harrison Lilley

Staff Writer

hjl5363@psu.edu

In a thrilling battle on Wednesday night, January 31, the Penn State Behrend Women’s Basketball team faced a tough defeat at the hands of the La Roche Redhawks. The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Game of the Week lived up to the hype, but ultimately, it was La Roche who emerged victorious with an 82-78 win over the Lions.

The game showcased some key moments that shifted the balance in favor of the Redhawks. La Roche’s remarkable win streak continued, reaching nine consecutive victories, while simultaneously snapping the Lions’ impressive nine-game winning streak.

One of the defining factors of the game was La Roche’s performance in the even quarters, particularly their dominant 28-18 advantage in the fourth quarter. This surge in the final period ultimately proved to be the difference-maker.

The Redhawks demonstrated their resilience and clutch play in the final 10 minutes, going 10-for-18 from the field and grabbing a commanding 13-5 edge in rebounds. This strong finish allowed them to overtake the Lions and secure the win.

Morgan Altavilla, hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, and representing Baldwin, was instrumental in La Roche’s victory, contributing a game-high 29 points. Altavilla’s scoring prowess was most evident in the second half, where she poured in 21 points, including 12 in the third quarter and nine in the crucial fourth quarter.

Rachel Majewski from Erie, PA, and Villa Maria Academy added 16 points to the Redhawks’ tally, while Julie Balaski of Mercer, PA, and Mercer tied Altavilla for the team lead in rebounds with an impressive eight each. Balaski’s rebounding performance marked a significant achievement, setting a new career high for her.

Behrend showcased their free-throw shooting skills when they went 6-for-6 from the charity stripe in the final 1:45 of the second period, allowing them to carry a two-point lead into halftime. However, the Lions couldn’t maintain their momentum in the second half.

During the third quarter, the Lions extended their lead to eight points, courtesy of an Altavilla three-pointer at the 6:50 mark. But their advantage dwindled, and they entered the fourth quarter with only a six-point lead.

The turning point in the game occurred as La Roche launched a decisive 10-2 run to begin the final period. Dasja Anderson’s jumper with 6:29 remaining sealed the deal for the Redhawks, giving them the lead for good. This unfortunate loss marked the second time this season that the Lions faltered when leading at halftime.

Despite the defeat, the Lions managed to achieve a season-best shooting percentage of 49.1% from the floor, showcasing their offensive efficiency. Nonetheless, La Roche’s late-game heroics and determination ultimately prevailed, securing them an 82-78 victory in this thrilling AMCC showdown.