GAMBIER, Ohio – The Allegheny women's basketball team overcame a double-digit fourth quarter deficit to defeat Kenyon 67-63 on the road in their regular season finale Saturday.
The North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) win secured the Gators the number five seed in the upcoming 2020 NCAC Championships. It is their highest seed at the event since earning the number four seed for the 2016 tournament.
The Gators will travel to number four seed Ohio Wesleyan on Tuesday for a 7 pm game. The teams split their two games this year, with each team winning on their home court.
Kenyon gained an early advantage in the game, eventually taking a 51-40 lead into the final frame.
Alexis Caldwell (Whitefish Bay, Wisc./Whitefish Bay) started the fourth with a three. A
Julianna Skowron (Pittsburgh, Pa./Oakland Catholic) layup brought the game within six points. After a basket by the Ladies,
Zoe Youdell (Connellsville, Pa./Connellsville) scored four straight points, bringing the game within four points.
Over the next three minutes, the teams traded baskets until
Rylee Donovan (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler Area) converted a layup and a quick triple to pull the Gators within one. After Kenyon scored on the ensuing possession, Donovan hit another three to tie the game at 61 with under three minutes to play.
Kenyon would regain the lead on a pair of free-throws, but Skowron tied the game back up. Donovan force a turnover on the other end of the court which led to a Youdell basket to give the Gators a 65-63 lead. It marked their first lead of the contest.
The Gators were able to hold the Ladies at bay offensively over the final 90 seconds as Donovan converted a pair of free-throws to secure the win.
Skowron led the Gators on both ends of the court. In addition to her game-high 23 points, she had a game-high 17 rebounds to record her second double-double of the year. The 17 rebounds were a career-high and the 23 points tied her career-high that she set earlier in the week against Hiram.
Donovan also finished the game in double-digits, tallying 22 points with five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Youdell finished with an 11 point, 10 rebound double-double, her fourth of the year.
