McKeesport, PA. - After a tough weekend that saw the Penn State Greater Allegheny Women's Basketball team (12-9, 9-3) go 0-2, PSUGA is looking for a rebound when they take on Penn State Wilkes Barre on Monday at 6 p.m. PSUGA is in the midst of a stretch of five games in nine days and are looking to clinch a home playoff game with a win.
PSUGA is coming off of a 69-53 loss to PSU-Brandywine on Saturday after the offense fell off towards the end of the game. It was a battle over the first ten minutes of the game with PSUGA trailing by just three points after one quarter of play. It was back and forth throughout the quarter with neither team able to gain a big advantage.
Then, Brandywine got the first big lead in the second quarter holding PSUGA to just 10 points while putting up 17 of their own heading into halftime ahead 34-24. PSUGA would never be able to catch up and they suffered their second straight loss dropping to 9-3 in conference play.
Teaira Hartley (East Stroudsburg, PA./East Stroudsburg North HS) led the way with 16 points and was the only PSUGA player to finish with double digits in the game. Teammate Lexus Santiago (Pittsburgh, PA./Imani Christian Academy) continued to lead the defensive side of the ball with 7 rebounds.
The loss dropped PSUGA to 9-3 in conference play and puts them 1.5 games behind PSU-Beaver in the Penn State University Athletic Conference West Division. However, with PSU-DuBois falling to PSU-Lehigh Valley on Saturday, PSUGA can clinch a home playoff game on Monday with a win.
The team standing in their way is Penn State Wilkes Barre who enters Monday's game on a five game losing streak. They fell to PSU-Mont Alto 62-41. They only scored single digits in three of the four quarters and, despite scoring 20 points in the third quarter, were unable to fight back in the game.
In seven previous matchups between these two teams, PSUGA has the advantage with a record of 5-2 against Wilkes Barre. Last season, it was PSU-Wilkes Barre that picked up a 68-55 win. Brandy Taylor (Pittsburgh, PA./Imani Christian Academy) had a big day putting up 17 points in the win.
Tip-off for Monday night's game is scheduled for 6 p.m. as the first half of a men's and women's basketball doubleheader. You can watch all the action live at bit.ly/PSUGAYT.