PITTSBURGH, Pa. - It was one of the closer matchups in AMCC play, based on the final score, for La Roche women's basketball, but the home Redhawks were able to prevail, holding off the Penn State Altoona Lions, 72-64, remaining unbeaten in AMCC play.
The first quarter was dominated by La Roche, but in the back half of the frame. Holding a minimal, 4-3 lead, with the clock reading 4:20 remaining, the Redhawks closed the first quarter on a 13-5 run, taking a 17-8 lead into the second quarter.
La Roche would hold the lead throughout the entire second quarter, but not before the Lions crawled themselves back to withing four points with 3:46 to go in the half, but a 9-2 run to close the quarter for the red and white gave the Redhawks a 38-27 lead heading into the locker room.
La Roche utilized cruise control in the third quarter, only allowing the lead to drop to nine points on two seperate ocassions, but held a double-digit lead the majority of the time, including at the end of the third quarter, leading 54-43 heading into the fourth.
In the final quarter, the Redhawks lead grew to 14 points with 4:05 remaining, but despite Altoona crawling back to within seven points, 71-64, it happened too late for the Lions, as the clock read 33 seconds remaining and La Roche sealed the victory.
For the game, the Redhawks shot 27-for-67 from the floor (40.3%), 9-for-20 from three-point land (45%) and 9-for-16 from the charity stripe (56.3%).
On the other side, Altoona shot 21-for-65 from the field (32.3%), 7-for-20 from deep (35%) and 15-for-20 from the free-throw line (75%).
Jazmine Dunn put on a show offensively, scoring a game-high 30 points, including hitting six three-pointers, while also ending with a double-double, adding 12 rebounds and four assists on the day.
J'La Kizart also had a double-double, loading the stat sheet with 13 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and four steals.
Nautica Burwell was the third player in double figures for La Roche, as she added 14 points to the cause.
The Redhawks have a week away from home, with a pair of road matchups part of an overall three-game road trip, and it begins on Wednesday, Jan. 21 when they head to Pitt-Greensburg for a 7 pm matchup.