UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – The Allegheny women's basketball team opened up play at the John Carroll Tip-Off Tournament Friday (Nov. 11) against the host, and 22nd-ranked, Blue Streaks. The game came down to the wire as the Gators nearly erased a 15 point fourth quarter deficit, but ultimately fell just shy, 67-64.
John Carroll entered the season as the 22nd-ranked team in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association poll and receiving votes in the D3hoops.com top-25 rankings.
The teams traded baskets back-and-forth early in the first quarter. About midway through, an
Emily Lauer (Knox, Pa./Keystone) jumper put Allegheny ahead, 8-6. With the game tied at 10, the Blue Streaks scored the final four points of the frame to take a 14-10 lead into the second. The Gators had a higher offensive in the second quarter, registering 17 points, but John Carroll put up 24 points to grow their lead to 38-27.
Allegheny kept pace with John Carroll in the third quarter as the Blue Streaks outscored the Gators by just a basket, 21-19.
The Blue Streaks lead grew to 61-46 early in the fourth, but a 7-0 Gator run brought the game within single digits. The Gators continued to shoot well in the quarter as a basket by
Jess Bickart (Cranberry Township. Pa./Seneca Valley) and a three by
Kate Leach (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) made it 63-58 with just over three minutes to play.
After a timeout, another Bickart basket brought the game within three before John Carroll hit a three on the ensuing possession to extend their advantage.
Alexis Caldwell (Whitefish Bay, Wis./Whitefish Bay) and Leach hit shots to bring the game within three once more. The Blue Streaks missed a shot late, with the Gators grabbing the rebound and calling a timeout with under five seconds to go. However, the Gators were unable to convert the three pointer at the buzzer as the comeback fell just short.
Inside the Box
- Lauer ended the game with a game-high 20 points with four rebounds.
- Sarah Santicola (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) recorded a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
- Bickart was also in double figures with 11 points while leading the team with five assists and tallying five rebounds and three steals.
- Caldwell ended with nine points, four rebounds and three steals.
- Leach had six rebounds, five points and three blocks.
- Allegheny outshot the Blue Streaks 45.9% to 29.2%.
Up Next
The Gators conclude play at the John Carroll Tip-Off Tournament Saturday (Nov. 12) against 17th-ranked St. John Fisher.
