by Christina Roukas

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona women's basketball team lost against Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference opponent La Roche University Wednesday night by a final score of 109-46 at Coach Scott Lang Court.

In the first quarter, Jordan Bisignani (Pittsburgh, PA/Peters Township) tied the game early on with a layup that made it 4-4 for Penn State Altoona (10-13, 7-6 AMCC). La Roche (17-7, 13-0 AMCC) broke the tie and took an eight-point lead, but Avana Sayles (Venetia, PA/Peters Township) scored a layup to make it 14-8.

The Lions struggled offensively, as La Roche was able to take a healthy 42-10 lead early in the second quarter. Sayles made two foul shots to make it 42-12, and Emma Kitko (Houtzdale, PA/Moshannon Valley) connected from the three-point line to make it 42-15. A layup from Camryn Figard (Hollidaysburg, PA/Hollidaysburg) made it 56-23 late in the quarter, but by halftime, La Roche was up by 37 points, 60-23. 

In the third quarter, the Lions increased their hustle, scoring 16 points in the period. Sayles hit a three to make it 68-28, Bisignani made a layup plus a foul shot to put the score at 82-36, and Kitko once again hit a three-pointer to make it 85-39.

But La Roche continued to build its lead into the fourth quarter, eventually winning by a final score of 109-46.

Sayles led Penn State Altoona in scoring with 15 points to go along with four rebounds. Jaidyn McCracken (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis) added nine points and five rebounds off the bench. Bisignani finished with eight points, three rebounds, and three assists, and Kitko had six points, three rebounds, and two assists. Figard tallied five points, two assists, and a team-high six rebounds.

La Roche's Machia Hairston led all players in the game with 21 points and nine rebounds, and Danajah Sanders scored 20 points.

The Lions' final game of the regular season is this Saturday, February 18 on the road against AMCC opponent Pitt-Bradford. The game is set to begin at 4 p.m.