MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny women's basketball team concluded the home portion of the 2025-26 regular season schedule with a 69-60 victory against Thiel Wednesday (Feb. 18).
 
The Gators fell behind early as the Tomcats started the contest on a 9-2 run. Midway through the frame, the Gators rattled off an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 14-12. The Tomcats would increase their lead to 19-14 before the Gators went on another run, this time 7-1, as they gained their first lead of the game at 21-20. Thiel converted some late free throws as they took a 22-21 lead into the second.
 
The teams went back-and-forth as the Gators tied the game back up at 29. After forcing a shot clock violation, Allegheny took the lead on a Sarah Santicola (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) lay-up. That basket was part of a half-ending 7-0 run as Allegheny took a 34-29 lead into the locker room.
 
Santicola led the Gators with 10 points and five rebounds in the opening half. Ava Kobus (Pittsburgh, Pa./Norwin) added eight points. The Gators shot 48.1% in the half and owned a 19-15 edge in rebounds.
 
The Tomcats tied the Gators at 40 about four minutes into the third quarter. Jess Bickart (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) hit a three before Isabella Antonacci (Indiana, Pa./Indiana Area) quickly stole the ball back and hit a lay-up for five quick Allegheny points. The Gators' lead reached as much as 14 points towards the end of the frame as they led 60-46 heading into the fourth.
 
The fourth quarter saw the Gator lead grow to a game-high 17 points as they closed out the home portion of their regular season with the PAC victory.
 
Inside the Box

• After recording one in their previous game, Antonacci neared another triple-double with 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
• Santicola finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
• Bickart produced 13 points and a team-high nine rebounds and four steals.
• Kobus was the fourth Gator in double figures with 10 points to go alongside five rebounds.
• Eyra Co (Manila, Philippines/Pike Christian Academy (Ohio)) added seven points and four rebounds.
• The Gators shot 46% (29-of-63) for the game and had a 40-35 edge in rebounds.

News and Notes

• Allegheny is now 29-9 all-time against Thiel after sweeping the regular season series.
• Antonacci scored in double digits for the 17th straight game. 

Up Next
The Gators close out the regular season on the road Saturday (Feb. 21) at Hiram.