NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – The Allegheny basketball team went on the road to Westminster Wednesday (Jan. 11) and collected a 63-44 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) victory.
The Gators got off to a quick start as
Jess Bickart (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) drained a three-pointer on the opening possession. That basket helped the Gators gain a 14-6 lead midway through the frame with reigning PAC Rookie of the Week
Sarah Santicola (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) scoring seven of those points. Allegheny did not allow another point until a free-throw at the 2:46 mark as they led 20-11 at the end of the first.
Westminster cut the lead down to six midway through the second quarter, 27-21. The Gators responded in a big way, closing out the remaining four minutes of the half on a 12-3 run, taking a 39-24 lead into the half.
Santicola scored 13 points in the opening half while
Emily Lauer (Knox, Pa./Keystone) added eight. Bickart and
Sofia Genareo (Lakewood, N.Y./Southwestern Central) chipped in seven each. The Gators shot 51.5% (17-of-33) from the floor.
Similar to the opening quarter, the Gators got off to a fast start in the second half, going on a 10-2 run. The Titans made up some ground in the waning minutes of the frame but Allegheny still led 49-33 heading into the fourth.
The Gators outpaced the Titans 14-11 in the final quarter to secure the conference win.
Inside the Box
- Lauer led the Gator offense with 16 points while also contributing five rebounds, two steals, two assists and a blocked shot.
- Bickart ended the game with 15 points while leading the team with five assists and three steals.
- Santicola was just shy of a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds. She also had three assists and blocked a pair of shots.
- Genareo also had 13 points with six rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
- Kate Leach (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) had five rebounds while Alexis Caldwell (Whitefish Bay, Wis./Whitefish Bay) gabbed four.
- The Gators shot 46.7% (28-of-60) from the floor.
- Allegheny never relinquished the lead after they scored the opening basket.
News and Notes
- The win moves the Gators to 6-4 in PAC play.
- Allegheny is now 20-11 all-time against Westminster after splitting the season series with the Titans.
Up Next
The Gators remain on the road Saturday (Jan. 14) for a PAC game at Waynesburg. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 pm.