MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny women's basketball team's season opener against sixth-ranked Washington and Lee came down to the final seconds as the Generals narrowly escaped the Gators by one point, 78-77, at the Women Leaders Tip Off Tournament Saturday (Nov. 8) in Meadville.
 
A back–and-forth contest that featured eight lead changes and six tied scores came down to the final minute. Tied at 75, Washington and Lee scored with 27 seconds left to take the lead. Isabella Antonacci (Indiana, Pa./Indiana Area) converted a pair of three throws to tie the game back up, the Generals drew a shooting foul, making one-of-two attempts as they gained a 78-77 advantage. 
 
The Gators had one last chance, but their inbounds pass was stolen as their upset bid fell just short.
 
Trailing 14-6 heading into the second quarter, Sarah Santicola (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) and Jess Bickart (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) made back-to-back baskets, cutting the lead to 14-10. After the Generals increased their advantage to 27-13, Antonacci scored eight straight points to drop the lead down to six points. The Gators continued to chip away at the lead as a traditional three-point play by Antonacci brought the lead down to four, 33-29, before the halftime break.
 
A three by Bickart to start the second half made it a one-point game. After trading scoring possessions, Kate Leach (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) made a pair of free-throws to give the Gators a 38-37 lead. The teams continued to battle as Allegheny led 44-43 midway through the third. Washington and Lee regained a one-point lead, but Bickart hit a buzzer beater corner three to put Allegheny back in front, 54-52, going into the fourth quarter.
 
The momentum carried over to the fourth for the Gators as they opened the frame on a 7-0 run. The Generals fought back to tie the game at 67 before taking a 72-71 lead on a three. Leach tied it back up at 75 but a basket with 30 seconds left put Washington and Lee back in front. 
 
On the ensuing possession, Antonacci drew a foul and converted both opportunities to tie it back up. Then, with three seconds remaining, the Generals drew a shooting foul, making one-of-two attempts before forcing a turnover to seal the game.
 
Inside the Box

• Antonacci led the Gators with a career-high 36 points, adding five assists and three rebounds.
• Leach also reached a career-high with 12 points to go alongside seven rebounds and five assists.
• Santicola recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. She also had five assists.
• Bickart was the fourth Gator in double digits, finishing with 11 points and five assists.
• Ava Kobus (Pittsburgh, Pa./Norwin) finished with four points and four rebounds while Ashlan Price (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem) had three rebounds and a pair of points.
• The Gators shot 39.7% from the field (28-73) and made seven three pointers. 

News and Notes

• The contest marked the first between the two programs.
• Antonacci's 36 points are tied for third most in a game by a Gator. 

Up Next
The Gators conclude play at their season opening tournament Sunday (Nov. 9) against RIT.