Manfredi and Upsher with Double-Doubles in the PSUAC Women's Basketball Drop over Beaver, 85-73

McKeesport, Pa. - Despite hard-work and determination with four double-digit contributors, the Penn State Greater Allegheny women's basketball team dropped their first Penn State University Athletic Conference match-up of the season over Penn State Beaver, 85-73.

Beaver managed to be first on the board with a free-throw before junior guard Mandi Johnston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) dropped a three-pointer, 3-1. A foul shot from freshman guard Ronnie Upsher (Pittsburgh, Pa./McKeesport) before senior guard Jess Manfredi (Pittsburgh, Pa./Serra Catholic added a layup, Greater Allegheny trailing 6-7.

Foul shots from Manfredi and freshman guard Huntur Lear continued the Lion drive. Senior guard Tra-Esha Carswell (Homstead, Pa./Steel Valley) put up a layup as Manfredi drained a trey, 18-13 Beaver. Carswell noted two in the paint as Upsher noted two from the foul line and a three-pointer to tie the game at 20 before Carswell took the lead from the foul line, 22-20 to end the first quarter.

Johnston added a free-throw while Manfredi put down a jumper. Johnston put up three foul shots and a layup as Carswell noted points in the paint, 32-24 GA with less than five until halftime. Manfredi, Carswell and Johnston all noted jumpers as Upsher, Carswell and Johnston continued, 46-41 Greater Allegheny at halftime.

The game saw a tie at 46 in the third quarter before Upsher knocked down a three-pointer while Manfredi netted a jumper and a three-pointer, 54-48 GA. Upsher denoted a layup and one to send the two teams into the fourth quarter tied at 57.

Upsher started the fourth quarter with two good free-throws before two more foul shots were completed, Beaver and Greater Allegheny battling back-and-forth, 61-63 Beaver.

Johnston roped a jumper as Manfredi and Johnston continued with foul shots. Carswell added points in the paint as Beaver leads the home team, 74-67 with just three minutes remaining. Carswell added a pair of layups as Johnston and Manfredi finished the game from the foul line.

Fouls would ultimately be the demise of Greater Allegheny, dropping their first Penn State University Athletic Conference match-up of the season, 85-73.

Upsher finished the night with a double-double, 16 points and eleven rebounds with four assists as she went 7-of-11 from the foul line. Johnston noted 19 with 60% (6-of-10) from the foul line with six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Manfredi and Carswell both put up 18 a piece as Manfredi also established a double-double with ten rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block as Carswell put up seven boards and a steal.

As a team, Greater Allegheny shot 58.8% (20-of-34) from the foul line and 44.4% (24-of-54) from the floor. The two teams were even in rebounds as the game was tied eight times with four different lead changes. GA earned 16 points off turnovers with 30 earned off points in the paint.

Greater Allegheny (2-3, 0-1 PSUAC) looks onward to Wednesday, as the women travel to NCAA Division II Clarion University for a non-conference match-up. Game-time is set for 5:30 p.m.