CRESSON, PA -- The Redhawks dropped into fifth place in the AMCC after falling at Mt. Aloysius 83-76 on Wednesday night. La Roche will have the opportunity to climb in the standings as their next three games are against the fourth, sixth and seventh place teams in the conference.
The Redhawks remained within a basket well into the second quarter but Mt. Aloysius carried a 37-30 lead into halftime. Both teams had 11 first half field goals and La Roche held a nine rebound edge on the boards. The difference came on the foul line where the Mounties hit a nearly perfect 15 of 16 free throws. Mt. Aloysius also limited turnovers to just two over the opening twenty minutes.
Stephanie Thomas scored 6 points and added 7 rebounds in the first half. Jenna Cole had 5 points and 5 rebounds.
Mt. Aloysius opened the second half on an 8-0 run. They upped their lead to as many as fifteen points and ended the quarter with a 63-52 lead. Cole, Sidney Farmer and Darrian Johnson each scored 6 third quarter points and the Redhawks shot 44% (7 of 16 FG). Mt. Aloysius shot 64% (9 of 14 FG).
The Mounties extended their lead to sixteen in the fourth quarter but La Roche shot their way back into it. The Redhawks held Mt. Aloysius without a field goal for over four minutes and cut it to single digits with 2:20 left. Johnson and Cole free throws got it down to six, but the Mounties held on for the victory.
Cole registered a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. She was a perfect 10 for 10 from the free throw line and climbs into first in the AMCC in free throw percentage.
Stephanie Thomas had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Johnson scored a team-high 22 points.
La Roche held a 47-30 edge on the boards but Mt. Aloysius limited turnovers and shot a solid 45% from the field.
The Redhawks welcome Medaille to campus on Saturday at 4pm. La Roche defeated Medaille 81-68 earlier this season.