by Christina Roukas

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Penn State Altoona women's basketball had its three-game Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference winning streak halted on Wednesday, when the Lions suffered a 75-50 loss to La Roche University.

The Redhawks (13-5, 9-2 AMCC) kept a modest lead throughout the entire game. In the first period, Penn State Altoona (5-15, 4-8 AMCC) struggled to find success early, scoring just eight points and ending the first quarter down 21-8, as La Roche took the 13-point lead.

In the first five minutes of the second period, the Lions bounced back offensively, putting up 12 points and lowering their deficit to six, 26-20. La Roche held its lead, however, and eventually went into halftime up by eight, 34-26.

In the third quarter, the Lions could not pull their defense together, allowing the Redhawks to score 23 points and end the third period with a 19-point lead, 57-38. La Roche went on to keep a strong lead over Penn State Altoona in the fourth quarter, and the Redhawks ended the game with a 25-point victory, 75-50.

Alexis Cannistraci (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone) led the Lions with 16 points and three assists in her return to the lineup, and she went 8-for-12 in shot attempts. Ellie Matthews (Kennett Square, PA/Kennett) contributed 10 points and a team-high 14 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season.

Megan Hartman (Claysburg, PA/Claysburg-Kimmel) and Sarah Huston (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville) scored eight points apiece, with Huston also having six rebounds. Emma Kitko (Houtzdale, PA/Moshannon Valley) scored six points and had three steals.

Penn State Altoona was not helped by its rebounding performance, as it was outrebounded 40-33 by La Roche.

The Redhawks were led in scoring by Makayla Abram, who scored 20 points. Danajah Sanders added 19 points for the Redhawks.

The Penn State Altoona's women's basketball team's next game is home against AMCC opponent Alfred State College on Saturday, February 5. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m.