McKeesport, Pa. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Lady Lions fought a tough battle against Penn State University Athletic Conference foe, Penn State Schyulkill, Saturday afternoon, as Greater Allegheny overcame Schyulkill, 58-52.
Senior power forward Christina Floyd (Philadelphia, Pa./Sts. Neumann-Goretti) was the first to answer with an easy layup as GA trailed for the first two minutes of the PSUAC match. The Lady Lions, however, didn't trail for long as junior guard Nakayla Layne (Pittsburgh, Pa./Taylor Allderdice) nailed a jumper, following easy scores by both freshman guards Tori Johnston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) and Teona Cash (McKeesport, Pa./Woodland Hills).
With several lead changes within the first nine minutes of play, a banked jumper by freshman guard Mandi Johnston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) put the Lady Lions ahead by one. The lead would only continue to grow as Cash, Floyd and senior forward Kimberly Hall (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) contributed to the 29-23 lead going into halftime.
Schyulkill came out for the second half on a quick 5-0 run as they only trailed GA by one. Floyd dropped an easy layup, followed by hard drives to the bucket by Cash and Layne to add to the now 40-33 lead.
As both teams continued to battle, GA was able to keep the lead and capitalize on several Schyulkill turnovers. Freshman guard Tori Johnston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) sank a three-pointer, as Layne and M. Johnston knocked down jumpers to continue the GA steamroll.
Floyd contributed a set of free throws as sophomore guard Tra-Esha Carswell (Homestead,
Pa./Steel Valley) dropped a set as well to end the game. GA survived by out-rebounding the
PSUAC foe, 52-39, while shooting 36.9% (24-65) from the field. An outstanding 69.2% (9-13)
from the foul line helped advance the team to 4-5 in PSUAC play.
Floyd finished the game with 15 points and 16 rebounds, recording another double-double, as M. Johnston grabbed twelve points and added two assists. Layne had ten points and a team high of three blocks.
Greater Allegheny (6-12, 4-5 PSUAC) will take a quick rest before they host Penn State Brandywine at 1:00 p.m. in Wunderley Gymnasium.
By: Christina Floyd
Athletic Department Intern
