by Casey Burinskas

ALFRED, N.Y. – The Penn State Altoona women's basketball team staged another come-from-behind win on Friday night, when the Lions overcame a 20-point deficit to defeat non-conference opponent Alfred University 67-62 in the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena.

Alfred (4-1) built a 34-14 lead midway through the second quarter, but Penn State Altoona (3-2) ended the first half on a 21-6 run and carried that momentum into the second half, during which the Lions outscored the Saxons 32-22 to hand the home team its first loss of the season.

Jaidyn McCracken (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis) scored a team-high 15 points for Penn State Altoona to go along with six rebounds and two assists. Lanie Wilt (Altoona, PA/Altoona) finished with 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals, and Avana Sayles (Venetia, PA/Peters Township) had 12 points, five boards, and two assists.

Madison Rusnica (DuBois, PA/DuBois) returned to action and provided 11 points, six rebounds, and two steals off the bench. Halle Kuzminski (Warren, PA/Warren) secured a game-high 11 rebounds.

Alfred's Jaidyn Chest led all scorers in the game with 22 points, while Jayda Felker added 10 points and nine assists for the Saxons.

Penn State Altoona faced a tough start to the first quarter, as Alfred quickly built a 5-0 lead. The Lions answered with a strong stretch of play, sparked by a layup from Wilt, followed by a steal from Ellie Irvin (Calvin, PA/Southern Huntingdon) that led to Sayles putting up a layup. Moments later, an offensive rebound by McCracken set up her own layup, giving Altoona its first lead at 6-5. Irvin added another layup off a Sayles assist to tie the game at 8-8 shortly after. However, the Saxons regained momentum while Altoona struggled to score any baskets, opening the door for Alfred to stretch its lead. A three-pointer pushed Alfred ahead 15-8, and two late baskets widened the gap even further. While Wilt knocked down a jumper to stop the run briefly, Alfred closed the quarter with a free throw to extend its lead. By the end of the first period, Altoona trailed 20-10.

Altoona entered the second quarter down 20-10 and struggled early, as Alfred extended its lead with quick baskets, including a three-pointer and a steal-and-score that pushed the score to 27-12. Irvin hit a jumper early in the quarter, but turnovers and missed free throws kept the Lions from gaining traction. Alfred continued to dominate, adding rebound points and another three to make it 34-14. Out of a Lions timeout, Altoona found some rhythm. Sayles scored on a jumper and Rusnica hit a three to cut the deficit to 34-19. McCracken added a three and later scored on a drive, while Wilt and Irvin knocked down back-to-back threes to help Altoona chip away. Skylar McCall (Cleveland Heights, OH/Cleveland Heights) added a layup, and McCracken placed a deep three with 13 seconds left, giving Altoona a strong finish to the period. Despite Alfred's hot start and rebounding advantage, the Lions' late surge brought the halftime score to 40-35 and built momentum heading into the third quarter.

Penn State Altoona opened the third quarter with strong effort, and Sayles got the Lions on the board with a jumper to make it 40-37. Alfred answered with quick layups, pushing the lead to 44-37 before Wilt's free throws stopped the run and brought Altoona within five. A momentum shift came midway through the quarter when Addi Schirato (Salix, PA/Forest Hills) grabbed a steal that led to a Sayles jumper, and moments later, McCracken buried a three to tie the game at 44-44. Alfred briefly regained the lead, but the Lions responded with a late push. Rusnica scored back-to-back layups to put Altoona ahead 48-46, and Sayles added another basket to extend the lead to 50-46. The Lions continued to control the court in the final minute, though a late Alfred layup cut the difference to 50-48. Despite early struggles, Altoona's energy and defensive pressure helped them take a narrow lead into the fourth quarter.

Altoona came out of the break determined to protect their lead. Kuzminski and Wilt hit baskets to keep the Lions in front, 54-50, while Rusnica added a free throw to extend the lead. Alfred responded with aggressive plays, but McCracken answered with a strong layup to make it 57-53. Sayles followed with a jumper, pushing the score to 59-55 and giving Altoona some breathing room. Kuzminski scored again inside to make it 61-55, though the Saxons stayed in striking distance with a mix of free throws and a three-pointer that cut the lead to 61-60. Wilt hit a free throw to steady Altoona, and Rusnica added another layup to maintain the lead. Sayles contributed on the defensive end with a block, helping to prevent Alfred from starting a comeback. In the final stretch, the Saxons pulled within 64-62, but Altoona executed well under pressure. Wilt made two free throws, and Rusnica put up one more with just one second left, sealing a 67-62 victory. 

Next, the Lions will be back at home against non-conference foe Lycoming College on Tuesday, November 25 at 6 p.m. in the Adler Arena.