McKeesport, Pa. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Women’s Basketball Team (1-1, 0-0) is looking for a rebound effort on day 1 of the Penn State Fayette tournament when they face Andrews University (1-0, 0-0) on Friday. Despite a loss their last time out against Ave Maria, PSUGA fought hard throughout the game and never caved in.
PSUGA got the lead scoring the first point of the game three seconds in, however, Ave Maria took control from there leading for the final 38 minutes of the game to secure the 92-47 victory. PSUGA shot just under 34 percent from the floor while going 2-3 from three-point range and 5-8 from the free throw line.
PSUGA saw the return of last year’s leading scorer Jayla Ellis (Pittsburgh, PA./Woodland Hills HS) after suffering an injury that caused her to miss the opener. Ellis responded leading the team with 12 points on the night and was one of two scorers to get into double digits with Alex Hall (Washington, D.C./Bell HS) finishing with 11 points. Tearia Hartley (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg North HS) made her presence felt again scoring seven points and leading the team with four assists. She also got things going for the second game in a row taking the opening tip to the basket.
PSUGA now moves to 1-1 on the season, but has shown the ability to compete with tough competition. They have started the game out with the lead in each of their first two contests and in the early going are averaging 71.5 points per game. It has been a whole team effort in the early going with every girl on the roster appearing in at least one of the first two games and that is what this team will need to continue to do down the stretch.
Head Coach Chrissy French has been impressed with her team’s effort early on and her message has continued to be fight hard no matter what the situation. With a tough non-conference schedule this season, PSUGA will get a chance to prepare for the grueling 17-game conference schedule that awaits them.
Their current stretch of five games in seven days continues when they take on Andrews University Friday at 2 p.m. at the Fayette tournament. Andrews used a 26-point second quarter to secure an 84-74 win over Glen Oaks College their last time out. After taking a 43-27 lead into halftime, Andrews was able to weather a 47-point second half from Glenn Oaks scoring just enough to net them a win. Andrew’s Kia Williams led the way scoring 20 points on the day while Allison Walean added 18 of her own.
Friday will be the first time that PSUGA has faced Anderson University as they look to continue to compete against tougher competition. Tip-off for Friday’s game is scheduled for 2 p.m. on the campus of Penn State Fayette.