Harrison Lilley – Staff Writer
hjl5363@psu.edu

Lexington, VA – The Penn State Behrend women’s basketball team had a tough loss against Catholic during the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday, March 1. The final score was 71-55. This final game brought Behrend’s final record to 19-8 for the season.

Behrend fell to a 13% deficit at halftime, and Catholic was able to take control of the game in the second half, allowing them to advance in the NCAA tournament.

A significant highlight in the game was Catholic being able to have a significant overtake with a 56-33 lead in rebounds.

Six out of eight players on our team were able to score during the contest, and Morgan Altavilla, of Pittsburgh, PA, and Baldwin High School, scored the most points at 22. Altavilla also had two steals, three assists, and seven rebounds.

Rachel Majewski, of Erie, PA, and of Villa Maria Academy, scored 12 points, and Alexis Furyes, of Medina, OH, and Highland High School, had a team high of four blocks and ten boards.

“There was three points that separated the Lions and the Cardinal’s in the second half” Penn State Behrend Athletics said.

Behrend was able to start off with a 7-0 run, right Behind Altavilla, according to Penn State Behrend Athletics.

The Lions were able to extend the lead to 9 points when they were at 13-4 when there was a Majewski jumper at 5:11, and Catholic was able to finish out the first quarter with a 16-5 run that created a winning lead of 20-15 after the first 10 minutes of the game.

Catholic was able to answer by dominating a double digit lead during the very first tenth of the second quarter of the game, which made them able to stay ahead of Behrend.

Julie Balaski, of Mercer, PA, and of Mercer High School, had her first collegiate career start, where she scored 6 points and five rebounds.

*Sports Information provided courtesy of Penn State Behrend Athletics.*