Offense Keeps Ticking in Women’s Win Over Fayette

McKeesport, PA. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Women’s Basketball Team (7-7, 5-1) bounced back after dropping their first Penn State University Athletic Conference game of the season on Monday defeating Penn State Fayette (4-9, 2-3) 79-73 on Wednesday. After falling behind early in the game, PSUGA’s resilience brought them back and gave them a much needed victory as they keep their hold on second place in the division.

Fayette came out of the gate hot scoring the first eight points of the game falling behind 8-0 three minutes into the ball game. Head coach Chrissy French would then switch out four of her five starters trying to create some offensive opportunities for her and her team. The switch would get PSUGA ready to play and slowly but surely they fought their way back throughout the first quarter.

After cutting the lead to 21-15 with 1:45 to go in the quarter, PSUGA would go off scoring the final 10 points and leading 25-21 by quarters end. The battle would continue throughout the second quarter with the lead changing hands three different times, but the teams would break for the locker room with the score all tied at 38-38.

It would be PSUGA that came out with the hot hand to start the second half jumping out to a 50-44 lead. Tina Clybourn (Pittsburgh, PA./Brashear HS) found her hot hand from three hitting two on the run after hitting just one the entire first half. Fayette fought back to make it a 52-51 gain but PSUGA would score eight of the last 12 points and lead 61-55 after three.

Fayette continued to battle throughout the fourth quarter, but the PSUGA defense would hold strong not allowing the roaring lions to come within five points of the lead. Alex Hall (Washington, D.C./Bell HS) would seal the deal in the final minute with a layup that gave PSUGA the 79-73 win.

Clybourn led the day with a team high 19 points while hitting five three-pointers in the game. After being held to just five points in the first half of the game, Clybourn found her shot putting up 14 in the second. She was one of four different PSUGA players to finish in double digits. Lexus Santiago (Pittsburgh, PA./Imani Christian Academy) continued her defensive tear leading the way with 12 rebounds on the night.

The win got PSUGA back on track moving their conference record to 5-1 and allowing them to hold on to their second place spot in the PSUAC East Division. PSUGA is on the road to the playoffs trying to make the tournament for the first time since the 2013-2014 season.

PSUGA will be back in action when they take on Penn State New Kensington on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at PSU-New Kensington.