McCANDLESS, Pa. - La Roche women's basketball defeated visiting Penn St. Behrend Saturday afternoon at the Kerr, 73-66. Senior forward Jenna Cole scored a season-high 28 points and added seven rebounds while shooting 78% (10-13) from the field to lead the Redhawks to their 15th conference victory this season. The point total is Cole's second highest of her career. It also marks the fourth time this season she has scored 20 or more points.
Ayanna Mazyck scored 10 of her 17 points in the first quarter and contributed a game-high six assists, seven rebounds and a three steals.
LRU outscored PSB 21-8 in the second quarter of today's contest while shooting 56% (9-16) from the floor. Penn St. Behrend either outscored or tied La Roche in each of the other three quarters. The second quarter has been the sweet spot for the Redhawks in their last three games where they have outscored their opponents by 41 points combined.
With a 15-1 record in conference play, the Redhawks own a 2.5 game lead over Hilbert College (12-3) in the AMCC standings.
Final: La Roche: 73, Penn St. Behrend: 66
Records: La Roche (15-5, AMCC: 15-1), Penn St. Behrend (12-9, AMCC: 9-7)
How it Happened
The visiting Lions jumped out to an early 6-0 lead less than two minutes into the contest after knocking down three of their first four shot attempts. La Roche would outscore Penn St. Behrend 12-6 over the remainder of the first quarter to tie the game 18-18. Ayanna Mazyck scored eight straight points for La Roche during their run.
The teams exchanged buckets to start the second and the game remained tied 25-25 over halfway through the quarter. Then, the Redhawks erupted for a 14-1 run to end the second and take a 13-point lead heading into the break. La Roche shot 6 of 8 from the field during that span.
LRU maintained their advantage through the majority of the third quarter, still leading 50-37 at the 3:03 mark. The Lions closed out the third on a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to eight.
The Lions continued to hang around in the fourth quarter, eventually making it a five point game with just under a minute to play, but that is as close as they would get. The Redhawks knocked down six of eight free throw attempts in the final minute of the contest to seal the deal, 73-66.
Inside the Box Score
Danajah Sanders posted 11 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Dasja Anderson recorded a game-high nine rebounds, five points and five assists.
Shaundrea Butler contributed eight points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals.
Dasja Jackson, Sidney Farmer and Diamond-Jay (DJ) Whittington combined for 10 rebounds and four points off the bench.
LRU shot 6 of 16 (38%) from 3-PT range in the first half but were just 1 of 8 (13%) in the second half from deep.
The Redhawks recorded 17 assists as a unit. The team has posted 16 or more assists in each of their last four games.
La Roche won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding Penn St. Behrend 37-35.
The Lions outscored the Redhawks in the paint 52-34.
Lion forward Alanna Dibble scored a team-high 22 points and shot a near perfect 10 of 11 from the floor.
NEXT UP: Women's basketball hosts conference opponent Franciscan University this Wednesday, February 12th at the Kerr. Game-time is set for 8:00 p.m.
