Johnston Sisters Combine for 46 in 74-29 Stronghold over Worthington-Scranton

Johnston Sisters Combine for 46 in 74-29 Stronghold over Worthington-Scranton

McKeesport, Pa. - Through a Penn State University Athletic Conference battle, the Penn State Greater Allegheny women's basketball team went on to dominate Penn State Worthington-Scranton, Friday night, by the margin of 74-29.

Sophomore guard Tori Johnston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) was first on the board for Greater Allegheny with a three-pointer followed by a free-throw point for freshman forward Tiajuanna Burke (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport). Sophomore guard Mandi Johnston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) put down a pair from the foul line as T. Johnston knocked down a three-pointer to extend the lead to 9-2 within three minutes of the game.

Junior guard Jess Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Serra Catholic) and M. Johnston both marked jumpers before M. Johnston doubled Worthington-Scranton's score with a three-pointer, 18-9. Burke put down points in the paint as freshman forward Andrea Burroughs (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle), T. Johnston and M. Johnston added points from the foul line, 24-16. M. Johnston put up a layup as T. Johnston drained a trey, 29-18 at halftime.

M. Johnston bucketed four to start the second half as T. Johnston followed her with five from her hand. Burke added two from the foul line as she took two into the paint. M. Johnston dropped a jumper and a three-pointer to move her team to 47-20 over Worthington-Scranton. Junior guard Tra-Esha Carswell (Homestead, Pa./Steel Valley) accounted for the final three points of the third quarter, Greater Allegheny leading 50-23.

Manfredi was quick out-of-the-gate with a made three-pointer in the fourth quarter before Burke added a free-throw point. T. Johnston, M. Johnston and Manfredi all laid on points in the paint to continue the GA stride, 60-25. Greater Allegheny would only allow four more Worthington-Scranton points from this point. M. Johnston dropped a pair of free-throws from the line as Burroughs slammed a fast break layup. Manfredi and T. Johnston both downed a jumper a piece as M. Johnston and Burroughs put down the final points of the game, 74-29.

M. Johnston ran the game with 27 points, completing 55.5% (10-of-18) of her shots from the floor as T. Johnston drained 19 points. The sisters combined efforts for a total of 12 rebounds, nine assists and eight steals. Manfredi bucketed nine points with six boards and six assists while Burroughs and Burke both marked eleven rebounds and eight points each.

As a team, Greater Allegheny shot 72.2% (13-of-18) from the free-throw line while the women completed 34.2% (27-of-79) from the floor. The women out-rebounded Worthington-Scranton 60-56. Greater Allegheny accomplished 33 points off turnovers, 26 points in the paint and 16 points off second-chance.

The women (7-10, 3-4 PSUAC) looks forward to Saturday morning, when Penn State Wilkes-Barre comes to Wunderley Gymnasium. The Lions are on the hunt for their third-straight PSUAC victory; tip-off set for 1 p.m.