MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny women's basketball team hosted Chatham in their Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) home opener Saturday (Nov. 23), defeating the Cougars 73-65.
 
The Cougars started the game on a 7-2 run. Emily Lauer (Knox, Pa./Keystone) drew a foul on a three point attempt and converted all three attempts to cut the lead to 7-5. A minute later, Lauer hit a three pointer to put the Gators in front, 8-7. After a three by Chatham, Bella Antonacci (Indiana, Pa./Indiana Area) started the Gators on a 10-2 run with a floating jumper. Lauer had five points in the sequence while Sofia Genareo (Lakewood, N.Y./Southwestern Central) hit a three. The run continued through a Chatham timeout, reaching 14-2 in total. Lauer ended the first with 15 points as the Gators led 26-16 at the quarter break.
 
Chatham opened the second quarter on an 8-3 run to cut the Gator lead to 29-24. The Cougars continued to cut into the lead throughout the quarter as they trailed 35-33 with two minutes to go. However, the Gators finished the half on an 8-2 run as they led 43-35 at the break.
 
Lauer led the Gators with a season-high 19 points in the half. Sarah Santicola (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) had a 12 point, 11 rebound double-double in just 20 minutes while also blocking three shots. Antonacci produced a season-high eight assists. As a team, the Gators shot 51.4% (18-35) from the floor.
 
After back-and-forth action to start the second half, the Cougars went on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to 49-45 at the media timeout midway through the third. A three pointer made it a one point contest after the timeout, but the Gators responded with a 7-0 run to re-establish the lead, 56-48. The Cougars made up some ground late but Allegheny held a 58-52 lead heading into the final quarter.
 
Once again, the teams traded baskets throughout the early portions of the fourth quarter as a three pointer by Chatham cut the Allegheny lead to 64-60 midway through. A traditional three point play by Santicola pushed the lead to 68-63 and started a 5-0 Allegheny run that grew their advantage to 71-63. 
 
Down the stretch, the Gators held the Cougars to just a pair of points as they picked up the 
 
Inside the Box

• Lauer led all players with a season-high 27 points while also registering four rebounds, a block and a steal.
• Santicola finished with a career-high 21 rebounds to go with her second 20 point performance of the season. She also blocked three shots.
• Antonacci also had a double-double with 14 assists and 12 points while grabbing three rebounds. The 14 assists is tied for the second most by a Gator in a game.
• Genareo had seven points to go with four assists.
• Jess Bickart (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) added six points, four rebounds and four assists.
• The Gators finished the game shooting 43.5% (30-69) from the floor and ended the game with a 43-41 edge in rebounds. 

News and Notes

• The Gators moved to 2-0 in PAC play. It marks their first 2-0 start in conference action since the 2019-20 season.
• Allegheny is now 4-4 all-time against Chatham.
• Santicola recorded her fourth double-double of the season with a career-high 21 rebounds.
• Lauer recorded her 22nd career game with 20 or more points.
• Antonacci's 14 assists are tied for the second most in a single game, and the first time a Gator had 14 assists since 1995. 

Up Next
The Gators are back at home Dec. 4, playing host to Geneva. The game will serve as the Gators' Annual Toy Drive benefiting the Center for Family Services in Meadville.