PITTSBURGH, PA -- The Redhawks maintained pace atop the AMCC Conference standings after defeating Mt. Aloysius 80-48 on Wednesday evening. La Roche climbs to 5-1 in conference and are back at .500, as their record improves to 6-6 on the season.
The Redhawks were red hot in the first quarter. They came out with a balanced attack, hitting shots in the post and from distance.
Mt. Aloysius stayed in the game by hustling for rebounds. They outrebounded La Roche and scored over half their first quarter points on second chances.
The Redhawks hit four three-pointers over the first ten minutes with Nia Thomas providing 8 points. Jenna Cold had 6 points as the Redhawks jumped ahead 24-14 at the first break.
La Roche stepped up defensively and stymied the Mounties. They forced a shot clock violation and held Mt. Aloysius without a field goal over the first five minutes of the second quarter.
Thomas continued to bury the rock, draining a three for a 33-15 lead with 5:28 left in the half. Dasja Anderson followed a small Mountie run with a three at the top of the key.
Thomas converted an and-1 with 3:07 left in the half and the Redhawks carried a 43-28 lead into halftime. La Roche hit 18 of 30 shots and scored 19 points off of turnovers.
Thomas put together another three point play early in the second half, hitting a runner and sinking the free throw. Danajah Sanders forced a steal and went coast to coast for a 48-33 lead with 5:18 left in the third. Sanders blocked a Mountie layup two possessions later which led to a Cole layup on the other end.
The Redhawks held Mt. Aloysius without a field goal over the final two minutes of the third quarter. Shaundrea Butler found Cole underneath just before the buzzer for a 60-42 lead at the stoppage.
La Roche ran clock in the fourth quarter. They were very efficient, finding open shots and outscoring the Mounties 20-6 over the final ten minutes.
Jenna Cole led the Redhawks with 22 points while Nia Thomas finished with 17 points. Shaundrea Butler had 6 assists and Danajah Sanders 4 steals.
The Redhawks shot the ball well, hitting 34 of 60 field goals. (57%). La Roche held the Mounties to16 of 45 field goals (36%).