by Casey Burinskas

BRADFORD, Pa. – On Wednesday night, the Penn State Altoona women's basketball team took on Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference opponent Pitt-Bradford in its final road game of the regular season, and the Lions earned a 72-59 victory over the Panthers.

Penn State Altoona (14-10, 11-6 AMCC) jumped out to a 21-7 advantage by the end of the first quarter, and the Lions went on to lead by as many as 20 points to deal Pitt-Bradford (8-15, 5-12 AMCC) the loss.

Avana Sayles (Venetia, PA/Peters Township) had a team-high score of 20 points for Altoona to go along with six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Jaidyn McCracken (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis) had her second double-double of the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds, and she also contributed a game-high six assists.

Jess Burns (South Fayette, PA/South Fayette) had 14 points for Altoona with three assists, and Jordan Bisignani (Pittsburgh, PA/Peters Township) also added to the scoreboard with eight points and three assists. Raniyah Green (Hillside, NJ/East Orange/Hillside) had a game-high, season-high total of 16 rebounds for the Lions and also contributed six points.

Pitt-Bradford's Paige Gratto led all players in scoring with 21 points.

Early in the game, the Lions struck first with a three-pointer from McCracken, assisted by Burns. Then, with an assist from Green, McCracken landed another three-pointer to give the Lions a head start with a score of 6-2. Three Sayles jump shots helped the Lions begin to run away with the lead, making it 12-2 at the 5-minute mark. McCracken made another three-point jump shot, and Chelsea McCaulsky (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis) was able to place two points on the board for Altoona, making it 17-4. Burns was able to make a jump shot, and Camyrn Figard (Hollidaysburg, PA/Hollidaysburg) made two free throws to close out the quarter with the Lions holding a 21-7 lead.

With an early lead in the game, Altoona came into the second quarter and kept the wheels turning. Burns was first to strike with a jumper, followed by Bisignani, who made a layup at the basket. Sayles was also able to contribute and make a jump shot to give the Lions a lead of 27-10. With 5:25 left on the clock, Sayles made another basket, followed by another three-pointer from McCracken. Coming down to the 2-minute mark, Burns landed a three-pointer to continue the Lions lead. With a final jump shot from Sayles and a free throw from Green, the Lions headed into halftime with a 38-25 advantage.

Early in the third quarter, Bisignani made two three-point jump shots, and McCracken placed a pair of baskets to make it 48-30. Burns was next to add to the scoreboard, making a layup to give Altoona its biggest lead of the game, 50-30. With 2:57 left in the quarter, Burns made a jump shot, followed by Figard and Green jumpers. By the end of a strong third quarter, the Lions came out on top, 56-39.

Starting the last quarter, Sayles was first to strike by making a layup with 7:47 left in the game. Green made a basket and a foul shot, and a steal by McCracken led to her sinking two free throws to make it 63-45. Later, with 3:22 left, Sayles made a layup to put Altoona's lead at 65-51. Burns made another three-pointer, followed by Sayles coming up with two more baskets, and the Lions ended the quarter on top, 72-59, to lock in another win.

Penn State Altoona women's basketball returns home for its last game of the regular season, as the Lions will host AMCC foe La Roche University this Saturday, February 17 at 1 p.m. in Adler Arena.