Women’s Basketball Picks up Conference Victory Over Greater Allegheny

By: Frank Maira, Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information Director

MCKEESPORT, Pa. – The Penn State Mont Alto women's basketball team picked up its second straight PSUAC conference victory with a 57-54 road win over PSU Greater Allegheny on Friday. The team has been surging with a 6-3 record here in the second semester and improved to 7-11 overall.

Inside the Box Score

• Mont Alto held the homstanding Lions to just 28.6 shooting from the field, while netting 39.7% themselves. PSUMA outrebounded Greater Allegheny by a 57-32 margin.
• Madison Bishop (Newville, Pa. / Big Spring) finished with her first double-double of the season leading the team with 13 points and 12 boards.
• The forward combo of Mariah Martin and Jesime Freet (Carlisle, Pa. / Carlisle) finished with 11 and 10 points apiece. Freshman guard Grace Banfe (Greencastle, Pa. / Shalom Christian Academy) saw 30 minutes off the bench and netted 12 points, which included 2-of-3 from 3-point range.
• Jayla Ellis led all scorers with 15 points for Penn State Greater Allegheny (5-13, 4-9 PSUAC)

How it Happened

• It was a sloppy start by Mon Alto who took a bit to get settled, but PSUMA tied it up with Kyah Rucker (Harrisburg, Pa. / Susquehanna Township) hitting a jumper that was assisted by Kara Newell (Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg). Greater Allegheny pounded the ball into the paint taking a 12-8 lead with just over two minutes left in the first quarter.
• PSUGA led 21-17 after Jayla Ellis banked a 3 pointer within the second period.
• A Jesime Freet (Carlisle, Pa. / Carlisle) layup tied the score up at 21 points apiece. PSUMA then took a 25-23 lead advantage with a fast break Madison Bishop (Newville, Pa. / Big Spring) 3-pointer.
• Jayla Ellis hit a buzzer beating 3-pointer as time expired, but still Mont Alto led 32-26 at the half. Mon Alto closed the quarter on 7-3 run.
• Grace Banfe (Greencastle, Pa. / Shalom Christian Academy) nailed a 3-pointer that put PSUMA up 38-30 with just over 5-minutes remaining in the third quarter
• Mont Alto carried a decisive 16-point advantage into the final period. The Nittany Lions played a settled and composed defense down the stretch and held on for the 57-45 win.

Penn State Mont Alto returns to action tomorrow in another PSUAC matchup, this time against PSU Fayette. Game time is slated for 5 p.m.