MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny women's basketball team was unable to hold off a late Waynesburg rally as they fell in the final seconds of their Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) 69-68 Saturday (Jan. 10).
 
The teams went back-and-forth early in the first quarter as the Gators led 14-11 midway through. Following the media timeout, the Gators went on a 7-0 run with Ashlan Price (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem) accounting for five of those points. Ava Kobus (Pittsburgh, Pa./Norwin) had a fastbreak layup assisted by Eyra Co (Manila, Philippines/Pike Christian Academy (Ohio)) at the buzzer as they led 23-17 after 10 minutes of play.
 
Similar to the opening quarter, the teams were even to start the second with Allegheny leading 33-26 with four minutes left. The Gators would score the final five points of the half as they led 41-30 at halftime.
 
Isabella Antonacci (Indiana, Pa./Indiana Area) led the team with 13 first half points while Jess Bickart (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) had 10. Sarah Santicola (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) had six rebounds and four blocks in the 20-minute span, helping the Gators outrebound the Yellow Jackets 31-23.
 
Waynesburg opened the second half with a three, but the Gators responded with an 8-0 run to move ahead 49-33. The teams went back and forth the rest of the frame as Allegheny carried a 59-44 lead into the fourth.
 
The Yellow Jackets pulled within four points, 61-57, to start the final quarter. The game remained close as the Gators held a five-point lead, 65-60, with two minutes remaining.
 
The lead was cut to one, 67-66, with just under a minute remaining. After a Gator turnover, the Yellow Jackets drew a shooting foul. They made both attempts to take the lead, 68-67, with 14 seconds left.
 
Following a timeout, the Yellow Jackets created turnover and hit one-of-two free-throws to push their lead to 69-67.
 
The Gators had the final possession of the game. They drew a foul, but missed one of the two free-throws as they fell in the PAC contest.
 
Inside the Box

• Antonacci finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
• Bickart added 14 points, four assists and three rebounds.
• Kobus also contributed 14 points to go with nine rebounds.
• Price tallied 11 points and seven rebounds.
• Kate Leach (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds.
• Santicola ended the game with 11 rebounds and a season-high six blocks. 

News and Notes

• Allegheny is now 16-3 all-time against Waynesburg. 

Up Next
The Gators remain at home Wednesday (Jan. 14) as they host Grove City at 6 pm.