MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny women's basketball team was unable to overcome a late Washington and Jefferson run as they fell at home to the Presidents 59-55 in Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) action Saturday (Jan. 13).
 
The Gators got off to a fast start, taking a 12-4 lead before the first media timeout. Sofia Genareo (Lakewood, N.Y./Southwestern Central) scored five points in that stretch while Sarah Santicola (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) had four. The Presidents battled back, bringing the score to 14-12 at the end of the quarter. 
 
Washington and Jefferson started the second quarter on a 7-1 run to move ahead 19-15. A quick four points by Emily Lauer (Knox, Pa./Keystone) tied the game back up. However, the Presidents responded with a 7-0 run before an Allegheny timeout. The Gators made up some ground in the closing minute, including a late three by Analyse Rios (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek) to cut the lead to 27-25 at halftime.
 
Lauer led the Gators with eight points in the first half. Santicola had five points with six rebounds while Genareo also had five points. Jess Bickart (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) collected five rebounds.
 
An early basket by Santicola in the third tied the contest as the back-and-forth play continued. The Presidents slowly grew a lead but the Gators kept it close as a late basket by Jasmyn Fisher (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) cut it to 40-37 going into the final frame.
 
Allegheny brought the lead down to one point multiple times in the first five minutes of the fourth. After Lauer brought the score to 44-43, the Presidents rattled off nine straight points to regain control. The Gators fought back late, cutting the lead down to 59-55 with a late Lauer basket, but it was not enough to overcome the Presidents' run.
 
Inside the Box

• Lauer led the Gators with 18 points to go alongside three rebounds and a pair of steals.
• Santicola was also in double figures with 13 points. Additionally, she led the team with 12 rebounds for the double-double and five blocks.
• Bickart had eight points, eight rebounds and five assists.
• Genareo had six points and five rebounds while Fisher ended with four points.
• Kate Leach (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) had a career-high five assists to go with four rebounds and three points.

News and Notes

• The Gators are now 16-22 all-time against the Presidents.

Up Next
The Gators are on the road Wednesday (Jan. 17) when they travel to Bethany.