McKeesport, Pa. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Women’s Basketball team (0-1, 0-0) gave it all they had on Friday in their season opener, but it wasn’t enough as they fell in overtime to Butler County Community College (1-0, 0-0) 74-69. It took a total team effort and then some, but the ladies played their hearts out on the court.
They headed into overtime with just two players left on the court and the score all tied up at 69. It was up to Alex Hall (Washington, D.C./Bell HS) and Andrea Burroughs (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) to try and hold BCCC and get just one more point. Burroughs and Hall played their hearts out and held them to just five points in the five-minute overtime period. However, they were unable to get a point of their own and they ended up taking the defeat. Foul trouble is what plagued the girls on this day as of their six active players, four fouled out late in the contest.
This matchup was even throughout, as both teams were playing great defense and trading offensive blows. BCCC outscored PSUGA in the first quarter 18-15, however, PSUGA would come back and win the second quarter 17-15 to send the two teams into the locker room with BCCC holding the slight 33-32 advantage. Jayla Ellis (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) offensive day was just getting started as she led the Lions at halftime with 15 points. Alex Hall and Brandy Taylor (Pittsburgh, Pa./Imani Christian Academy) followed her with eight and five points respectively.
PSUGA’s offense came out a little slow in the third quarter and their deficit was increased as they were down 53-48 heading into the final quarter of play. Then, Brandy Taylor found her stroke putting up 12 points in that quarter alone to get PSUGA back in the game. Then the foul trouble hit, Kiya Blair (Pittsburgh, Pa./Carrick HS) was the first to foul out leaving PSUGA with five active players. Then Ellis and Tina Clybourn (Pittsburgh, Pa./Brashear HS) fouled out with under three minutes to go leaving just three left on the court. However, the ladies kept battling and played hard defense in the three on five situation. Taylor would then foul out with under two minutes to play and Hall and Burroughs were left to keep the game intact.
They were able to force the game into overtime before finally falling by the 74-69 final score and dropping to 0-1 on the season. Jayla Ellis shined on the court leading the Lions offense with 27 points on the day to go along with eight rebounds. Brandy Taylor followed her up with a 21-point performance picking up seven rebounds.
The Women’s basketball team will look to rebound from this game when they take on SUNY Delhi on Sunday for their second game of the season. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m. inside the Wunderly gymnasium.
