MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny women's basketball team produced a season-high in points as they defeated Thiel 92-66 in Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) play Wednesday (Jan. 15) in Meadville.
 
The Gators jumped out to a 6-0 advantage in the opening minute of the game as Thiel called an early timeout trailing 8-2. After the timeout, the Tomcats rebounded to bring the game within two points, 12-10. Those would be the final points for the Tomcats as the Gators closed the quarter on a 9-0 run to lead 23-10 heading into the second. Bella Antonacci (Indiana, Pa./Indiana Area) went seven-of-10 from the field for 15 points.
 
Allegheny scored the first five points of the second before Thiel rattled off an 8-2 lead to cut the Gator advantage to 30-18. The Tomcats continued to battle back, cutting the lead to 35-32 with just over two minutes left. The Gators, however, would end the frame on a 9-4 run to take a 44-36 lead into halftime.
 
Antonacci led Allegheny with 15 points in the opening half. Emily Lauer (Knox, Pa./Keystone) and Sarah Santicola (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) had six points. The Gators forced 14 turnovers that led to 13 points. 
 
The early portion of the third quarter was controlled by Allegheny as they went on a 12-4 run to extend their lead to 56-40. The Gators continued to grow their lead as they scored a season-best 32 points in the frame, taking a 76-52 lead into the fourth.
 
The fourth quarter saw the Gators outscore the Tomcats 16-14 as they wrapped up the conference win.
 
Inside the Box

• Antonacci led the Gators with 21 points to go alongside seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.
• Santicola recorded a 16 point, 11 rebound double-double. She also blocked four shots and had three steals.
• Lauer also finished with 16 points to go with four rebounds, three steals and three assists.
• Ava Kobus (Pittsburgh, Pa./Norwin) had 10 points, four rebounds and three blocks.
• Sofia Genareo (Lakewood, N.Y./Southwestern Central) was the fifth Gator in double-digits scoring 10 points.
• Analyse Rios (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek) ended the game with six points while Jasmyn Fisher (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) had four points.
• Jess Bickart (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) added four points with six rebounds and five assists.
• Pascale Olczak (Plum, Pa./Plum) had three points and three rebounds while Kate Leach (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) had four rebounds.
• The Gators shot 42.9% (39-of-91) from the floor and owned a 54-52 advantage in rebounds. 

News and Notes

• With the win, the Gators improved to 9-6 overall and 8-2 in PAC action.
• Allegheny is now 26-9 all-time against Thiel.
• Santicola entered the contest with 176 career blocks. With four blocks tonight, she is now just 10 blocks off from breaking the program record of 189 set by Kaitlyn Fromknecht in 2016. 
• Antonacci tallied 20 plus points for the third time this season.
• Eyra Co (Manila, Philippines/Pike Christian Academy (Ohio)) made her Allegheny debut, converting a pair of free-throws while grabbing two rebounds.
• Allegheny scored a season-high in points. 

Up Next
The Gators are back at home Saturday (Jan. 18) against Bethany.