McKeesport, PA. – After making the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) playoffs for the first time since the 2013-2014 season, the Penn State Greater Allegheny Women’s Basketball team (0-0, 0-0) starts the road back to the PSUAC tournament when they take on Butler County Community College (0-0, 0-0) on Monday at 5 p.m. With many of their stars from last year’s team returning in 2019-2020, PSUGA is looking to start a winning tradition on the court.
After a rough start to the 2018-2019 season that saw them go just 2-5 in their first seven regular-season games, PSUGA kicked things into high gear with the start of conference play. They won each of their first four PSUAC contests and headed into the break sitting at 6-6 overall, 4-0 in conference action. The second half of the season saw PSUGA riding high as they won 10 of their next 13 games before a loss to PSU-Fayette in their regular season. That loss sent them into the playoffs at 15-11 and 11-4 in conference play.
They would take on that same PSU-Fayette team in the first round of the PSUAC playoffs and fall 77-70 ending their run in the tournament. PSUGA was down 30-15 at halftime and, despite scoring 30 fourth-quarter points, didn’t have enough to come back in the game. Lexus Santiago (Pittsburgh, PA./Imani Christian Academy) led the way with 17 points and 18 rebounds in the loss.
Flip the calendar to 2019-2020 and seven women from last year’s team are back including the top three scorers. Junior Tina Clybourn (Pittsburgh, PA./Brashear HS) leads the way after having a career-year that saw her put up 380 points while averaging just under 15 points per game. Clybourn has a chance to permanently put her name in the PSUGA record books this season as she needs to make just five more three-pointers to set the all-time career record.
PSUGA’s pair of seniors Teaira Hartley (East Stroudsburg, PA./East Stroudsburg North HS) and Jayla Ellis (Pittsburgh, PA./Woodland Hills HS) round out the offensive attack. Hartley led the PSUAC with 129 assists last season and was second for PSUGA averaging 12.1 points per game (PPG). Ellis battled through injuries throughout the season but still managed to set a new career-high with 262 points and 72 assists in 25 games played.
Butler County Community College is looking for a bounce-back season after finishing 9-13 last season including a 6-3 record in NJCAA Region 20 play. While the Pioneers have lost both of their top two scorers from a year ago, Sophomore Casey Kretzer returns after having a strong freshman season that saw her score 335 points for an average of 16 PPG.
Previous Match-ups
In three previous match-ups with Butler County Community College, PSUGA has a record of 1-2 against the Pioneers. Their last game came on November 2nd, 2018 when PSUGA rolled to a 96-48 win. Santiago and Hartley tied for the team lead with 16 points apiece in the game while Santiago led the way with 13 rebounds.
Tip-off for Monday’s season opener is scheduled for 5 p.m. inside the Wunderley Gym. You can watch the game live at bit.ly/PSUGAYT.
