Harrison Lilley

Staff Writer

hjl5363@psu.edu

ALTOONA, Pa. – In an exhilarating Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) match-up on Saturday afternoon, the Penn State Behrend women’s basketball team clinched a significant 71-61 victory against their conference rivals, Penn State Altoona.

The Behrend Lions, who have been having a remarkable season, improved their record to an impressive 16-7 overall, with a commanding 14-2 in the AMCC. Meanwhile, Penn State Altoona’s standing altered to 13-10 overall and 10-6 in the conference.

The game’s pivotal moments unfolded predominantly in the third quarter. The Behrend Lions, demonstrating resilience and strategic prowess, overturned a deficit with a commanding 23-10 surge in the third quarter. This remarkable comeback was pivotal in their victory, ensuring a season sweep over the Altoona Lions.

The match saw several lead changes, keeping the spectators on the edge of their seats. Notably, Emily Munson of Penn State Altoona played a crucial role, making a layup with just 30 seconds left in the second quarter, propelling Altoona to a narrow 32-31 lead. However, this was short-lived as the Behrend Lions responded vigorously.

A turning point came in the third quarter when Madilyn Boyer, a notable player from Saxonburg, PA/Knoch, scored a layup. This was immediately followed by a crucial triple from Morgan Altavilla of Pittsburgh, PA/Baldwin, which firmly placed the Behrend Lions in the lead, a position they maintained for the rest of the game. By the end of the third quarter, Behrend had established a commanding 10-point lead.

The team’s balanced offensive attack was on full display, with four of the five starters recording double-digit points. Rachel Majewski from Erie, PA/Villa Maria Academy, was particularly outstanding, contributing a team-best 25 points, eight of which were crucially scored in the third quarter. Morgan Altavilla not only scored 17 points but also secured her second double-double of the season with 10 rebounds. Additionally, Madilyn Boyer added 14 points, and Alexis Furyes from Medina, OH/Highland, contributed 10 points to the victory.

Another notable aspect of the Behrend Lions’ victory was their disciplined play, which resulted in just five turnovers, marking it as the second-lowest total this season. This discipline undoubtedly played a crucial role in their victory.

The win signifies a robust statement from the Behrend Lions as they continue their pursuit of excellence in the AMCC, with eyes set firmly on the upcoming challenges in their basketball season.