by Casey Burinskas

ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona women's basketball team was on the road Saturday afternoon, when the Lions had their seven-game winning streak snapped in a 78-68 loss to Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference opponent Penn State Behrend in the Junker Center.

Penn State Altoona (16-7, 11-3 AMCC) led at multiple points in the first half before falling behind by double digits in the second half. The Lions came back to make it a two-point game in the fourth quarter, but Behrend (18-5, 13-1 AMCC) managed to hold its lead and finish with a 10-point victory.

Avana Sayles (Venetia, PA/Peters Township) produced her 13th double-double of the season for Penn State Altoona, scoring a team-high 20 points, securing a game-leading 13 rebounds, and also leading all players with five steals. Jaidyn McCracken (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis) scored 15 points and added three assists, and Lanie Wilt (Altoona, PA/Altoona) contributed 12 points and a game-high five assists.

Halle Kuzminski (Warren, PA/Warren) chipped in eight points and eight boards, Ellie Irvin (Calvin, PA/Southern Huntingdon) and Allyana Stephens (Johnstown, PA/Bishop McCort) scored six points apiece, and Haley Hicks (Wylie, TX/Wylie East) grabbed seven rebounds.

Behrend's Morgan Altavilla finished with a game-high 22 points, and Alaina Fabin scored 15 for the home team.

In the opening quarter, McCracken was first to set the scene with a three-pointer off a Kuzminski assist to open the scoring, then connected again on a three ball from Wilt, helping the Lions jump out to a 6-0 lead. Wilt added a layup to stretch the advantage to 8-3, while she and Sayles both had rebounds to help the Lions remain in possession and keep control through the first quarter. Though Behrend started to battle back, Sayles landed a jumper to stop the run and put the score at 10-7 midway through the quarter. With the Lions up 12-11, the final stretch belonged to Behrend as they found free throws and took advantage on the offensive boards. Altoona fell behind 17-12 heading into the second quarter. 

The Lions chipped away at the gap with McCracken connecting on a three-pointer off an assist from Irvin early in the quarter, then later knocked down another triple to give Altoona a brief 29-28 lead. Trying to hold onto that lead, Irvin added a three-pointer of her own and Wilt made a free throw to give the Lions a bigger advantage, 33-28. Defensively, Altoona was active. Sayles recorded a steal that led to an Irvin three-pointer, and the Lions forced multiple Behrend turnovers during a stretch that allowed them to briefly seize control. Sayles also contributed on the defensive end with a block and several strong rebounds to limit second-chance opportunities. However, Behrend responded late in the period with several baskets that helped them regain the lead. In the final minute, an Altavilla layup and foul shot stretched the home team's lead to six, 41-35. Sayles added one more jumper in the closing seconds to cut it to four, but Behrend closed the half on top, 41-37.

The Lions opened the second half with strong energy. Sayles scored a jumper off an assist from Wilt to start cutting the gap at 43-39, as Altoona generated second-chance opportunities behind multiple offensive rebounds. Sayles later sank four at the free throw line to keep the margin manageable. After Behrend stretched the lead to double digits, Altoona responded with Stephens knocking down a three-pointer off a feed from Wilt, and she later hit another three assisted by McCracken to trim the difference to 62-51. McCracken also added a jumper during the push, while Sayles recorded a steal to spark momentum. However, Behrend answered each run with efficient offense while capitalizing on turnovers and second-chance points. A late layup by Altavilla and free throws from Fabin in the final two minutes helped Behrend close the quarter in control, sending the Lions into the fourth trailing 62-51.

The Lions opened the final period with aggressive defense and efficient offense. A steal by Wilt led to a jumper from Sayles, and Altoona continued to apply pressure by forcing multiple Behrend turnovers. Wilt converted a three-point play to cap a 9-0 run that cut the gap to 62-60, prompting a Behrend timeout. After Behrend briefly steadied itself at the free throw line, Sayles answered with another jumper off a feed from McCracken, keeping the Lions within two at 64-62. Altoona's defense remained active, generating steals from Stephens and Sayles to create additional opportunities. However, Behrend responded midway through the quarter, when a layup and a series of free throws helped them rebuild separation, going up 73-64. Altoona continued to battle, with Kuzminski converting a layup and cutting the difference to seven, 73-66, but Behrend answered again on the offensive end and at the line. In the final minutes, the Lions were forced to foul, and Behrend was able to secure the 78-68 victory.

Next, the Penn State Altoona women's basketball team will travel on Wednesday, February 18 to face AMCC opponent Pitt-Greensburg at 7 p.m.