CRESSON, Pa. - Taking to the road to close out the season series against Mt. Aloysius, La Roche had to overcome a difficult shooting night and win with sound defense to improve to 12-0 in AMCC play, scoring a 64-55 win over the Mounties.
A defensively dominant opening quarter set the tone for the matchup, as the Redhawks opened the game with an 8-0 run, before allowing the first Mt. Aloysius points of the night 6:17 into the opening quarter.
The lead could've ballooned quickly, but the La Roche offense saw struggles and only managed a 14-6 lead after one quarter.
The Redhawks built the lead up in the second quarter, including a 14-point, 29-15 lead with the clock reading 2:32 remaining in the first half, but the Mounties would score the final five points and the margin at the break sat at 29-20.
La Roche really picked it up out of the locker room, using an 11-1 run to open the games largest lead at 40-21, in the opening four minutes of the third, however, the lead would diminish back down to just 48-40 by the end of the frame with Mount scoring 19 of the final 27 points.
The Redhawks would continue to hold a multiple possession lead in the early stages of the fourth, but down 56-50, the Mounties used a 5-0 run and make it a one-point game with 4:56 to go in regulation.
It was the the La Roche defense truly stepped up, holding Mount scoreless over that final 4:56, forcing the Mounties to shoot just 0-for-4 and created five turnovers in that stretch to seal the victory.
For the game, the Redhawks shot just 21-for-65 from the floor (32.3%), 2-for-11 from three (18.2%) and 20-for-29 from the foul line (69%). However, the key stat of the night was La Roche forcing 26 Mountie turnovers, while only coughing up the basketball nine times.
On the other side, Mount ended the night 18-for-47 from the field (38.3%), 7-for-21 from deep (33.3%) and 12-for-15 from the free-throw line (80%).
Four Redhawks ended the night in double figures, led by Catherine Kelly with 15 points, seven rebounds and a pair of steals. She was followed by Nautica Burwell who went for 14 points and six rebounds, as well as Jazmine Dunn with 14 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals.
J'La Kizart also entered double-digits with 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
La Roche takes its final road trip of the season on Saturday, Feb. 7, when they head east to face Penn State Altoona. Opening tip is set for 2 pm.