McKeesport, PA. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Women’s Basketball Team (1-5, 0-0) continues their grueling pre-conference schedule on Wednesday when they take on NAIA opponent Point Park (1-6, 0-0) at 5 p.m. After picking up a season opening win over Butler County CC back on November 2nd, PSUGA has dropped each of it’s last five games and is looking for a positive outing before the start of Penn State University Athletic Conference play.
PSUGA had to face their toughest opponent of the season last time out in what was a 77-23 loss to Clarion University. After being held to just six points in the first two quarters, PSUGA put up 17 second-half points, six of which coming from junior Jayla Ellis (Pittsburgh, PA./Woodland Hills HS), to round out their season-low 23-point effort.
Tearia Hartley (East Stroudsburg, PA./East Stroudsburg North HS) led the way for PSUGA finishing with a team high seven points, six rebounds, and four assists in the loss. It was the first time this season that no one for PSUGA finished in double-digits as they could not score more than nine points in a single quarter.
With the loss, PSUGA moves to 1-5 on the season but looks forward to the start of PSUAC play at the end of this week. They have faced some of the top teams around the NAIA and the USCAA in pre-conference play which head coach Chrissy French hopes helps them get ready for the challenges they will face in conference play. With one final tune-up scheduled, PSUGA will have another chance to fix some things from the previous game.
Point Park has also faced their fair share of challenges in their pre-conference schedule this season. In the teams first seven games, they have faced four NAIA top 25 opponents including #4 Marian University their last time out. The Pioneers gave them a battle but fell in the end 66-61 dropping their season record to 1-6.
Kaitlyn Smith led the offensive effort for Point Park putting up 19 points in the game while Michelle Burns finished right behind her with 14 on the night. Point Park led all the way until the final four minutes of the game when a couple of three-pointers sank their chances at victory. With the loss, Point Park has dropped four of their last five ball games.
In four previous matchups between these two teams, Point Park holds the all-time advantage with a record of 4-0 against PSUGA. Their last matchup came on November 8th of last year when Point Park picked up a 94-44 win. Alex Hall (Washington, D.C./Bell HS) had a big game scoring 15 points in the contest as one of three PSUGA players to score in double-digits.
Tip-off for Wednesday’s game against Point Park is scheduled for 5 p.m. inside the Wunderly Gymnasium. Doors open at 4 p.m. and you can watch all the action live at bit.ly/PSUGAYT with live play-by-play by Kenny Rouse.
