by Christina Roukas

GREENSBURG, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona women's basketball team trailed by 11 points at the end of the first quarter, and the Lions were unable to dig out of the early hole, falling 72-53 at Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference opponent Pitt-Greensburg on Wednesday night.

In the first quarter, Avana Sayles' (Venetia, PA/Peters Township) jump shot provided the first points of the game for Penn State Altoona (10-11, 7-4 AMCC), but Pitt-Greensburg (11-11, 7-4 AMCC) went on to lead by seven points. Sayles' layup cut the Lions' deficit to five, 13-8, and Jess Burns (South Fayette, PA/South Fayette) connected from the three-point line to lower Penn State Altoona's deficit to eight, 19-11, but Pitt-Greensburg led 22-11 by the end of the period.

Pitt-Greensburg continued to build its advantage in the second quarter. Sydney Barnett (Suwanee, GA/North Gwinnett) connected from the three line to trim the Bobcats' lead to 32-17, and by halftime, the Lions' deficit remained at 15 points, 40-25.

In the third quarter, Jordan Bisignani (Pittsburgh, PA/Peters Township) hit a three to make it a 13-point game, 46-33, but Pitt-Greensburg went on to take a healthy 20-point lead over the Lions, 53-33. Sayles hit a jump shot late in the third quarter, but the Bobcats took a 19-point advantage into the fourth quarter.

Pitt-Greensburg led by as many as 24 points during the fourth quarter. Barnett scored from the three-point line again late in the period, but the Lions fell 72-53.

Sayles tied for game-high marks with 23 points and 13 rebounds for Penn State Altoona, notching her team-best 10th double-double of the year, while Bisignani added 10 points and six rebounds. Emma Kitko (Houtzdale, PA/Moshannon Valley) contributed nine points while grabbing 11 rebounds, her most in a Lions uniform, and Barnett chipped in six points off the bench.

Madison Scalese led Pitt-Greensburg in scoring with 23 points while securing 13 rebounds and recording eight steals. Melina Maietta added 16 points for the Bobcats.

Penn State Altoona women's basketball returns to campus for its final home game of the regular season this Saturday, February 11, when the Lions will host AMCC opponent Penn State Behrend at 4:00 p.m.

Prior to Saturday's game, the team will recognize its two seniors, Kitko and Sarah Huston (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville), in a pregame senior day ceremony.