McKeesport, Pa. - The Penn State Greater Allegheny women's basketball team came up short in the first game of the season over Westmoreland County Community College, Saturday afternoon, by a tally of 61-58.
Senior power forward Christina Floyd (Philadelphia, Pa./Sts. Neumann-Goretti) dumped two treys before freshman guard Tori Johnston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) polished off a three to sit their team ahead of WCCC, 9-7 three minutes into the contest. Floyd banked four before freshman guard Mandi Johnston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) added three.
Greater Allegheny found themselves ahead 20-11 after freshman forward Bethany Seibert (Tarrs, Pa./Southmoreland) completed a layup and freshman forward Kimberly Hall slashed a free-throw for the home team. WCCC battled their way back as five Greater Allegheny student-athletes cashed in to continue the battle. Halftime saw a score of 36-37 in Westmoreland County Community College's favor.
Freshman forward Kelly Moore (Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen) completed two free-throws before T. Johnston aced a three to put GA up 41-39. WCCC swelled to a eight point lead with less than ten minutes to play in regulation. Sophomore guard Tra-Esha Carswell (Homestead, Pa./Steel Valley) put down a three-pointer as Floyd and the Johnston sisters inched their way back to WCCC 55-54 with three minutes to play. The away team kept consistent through the final marks. Despite a three from T. Johnston in the final seconds of the game, Greater Allegheny fell short of Westmoreland County Community College, 61-58.
Floyd completed her first double-double on the season, as she deposited 17 points and 11 rebounds, completing 7-of-14 from the floor. M. Johnston had 12 points with seven assists while polishing off all four free-throw attempts. T. Johnston recorded ten points, six assists and five rebounds through the contest, while Moore put up eight rebounds, seven steals and six points.
Greater Allegheny (0-1) will take a few days off before they host the Penn State Greater Allegheny Tip-Off Tournament beginning Friday November 7th. GA will face Pitt-Titusville for a 6 p.m. start.
