PITTSBURGH, PA -- The La Roche Redhawks climbed to the top of the AMCC standings after opening conference play with a 71-54 victory over Penn State Behrend. La Roche improves to 2-4 on the season and 1-0 in AMCC Confernece play.
Jenna Cole finished with a game-high 25 points and went a perfect 11 for 11 from the foul line. Nia Thomas had a huge game with 20 points and 8 rebounds. Dalesza Regan was strong on both ends of the floor with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Shaundrea Butler finished with 7 assists while Dasja Anderson had 10 points and 5 assists.
La Roche outrebounded Behrend 41-25 and held the Lions to just 36% from the floor.
Regan got the Redhawks rolling with three straight baskets. She converted a three point play, a put back and layed up a Nia Thomas steal and cross court pass.
Jenna Cole and Dasja Anderson teamed up in the post to take control inside. Behrend shot the long ball effectively to stay in the game.
The Redhawks had trouble finding a rhythm late in the first quarter and Behrend grabbed a 20-18 lead at the first stoppage.
La Roche started to wear the Lions down and they made a run in the second quarter. Thomas scored the Redhawks' final six points of the second quarter, including a buzzer beater. La Roche stretched a 31-30 deficit to a 37-33 halftime lead.
The Redhawks ran away in the third quarter. Thomas sparked the run with a block that forced Behrend into a shot clock violation. She teamed with Regan to score over half of La Roche's third quarter points and the Redhawks entered the final period with a 58-46 advantage.
La Roche stepped up their defense, holding Behrend without a basket over the first half of the fourth quarter. The Redhawks maintained a double digit lead, but the Lions tried to extend the game but putting La Roche at the line. The Redhawks lead was insurmountable and they went on to earn the victory. Behrend scored just eight fourth quarter points.
Next up for the Redhawks is Penn State Altoona. Altoona opened conference play with a 68-60 victory over Mt. Aloysius.