MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny women's basketball team utilized an 18-0 third quarter run and held on late as they defeated Kenyon 63-61 in their final nonconference game of the season Sunday (Jan. 22).

The win moved the Gators current win streak up to five games.
 
The teams matched each other's pace throughout the opening quarter. Trailing 10-9 in the waning seconds, Emily Lauer (Knox, Pa./Keystone) hit a tough shot from the baseline as the Gators pulled ahead, 11-10.
 
After the Owls scored the opening basket of the second, the Gators rattled off a 6-0 run to regain the lead, 17-12. Kenyon used a series of made free-throws and a pair of layups over the next several minutes to take a 26-25 lead. Sofia Genareo (Lakewood, N.Y./Southwestern Central) converted a pair of free-throws to put the Gators back in front, but the Owls went on a 5-0 run to gain their biggest lead of the game, 31-27. Similar to the end of the first quarter, the Gators ended the frame with a floating jumper, this time by Jess Bickart (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley), but they trailed 31-29 at the half.
 
The Owls lead grew to 36-29 before the Gators went on a quick 8-0 to take the lead, 37-36. A Kenyon timeout failed to stop the Gator momentum as their run grew all the way to 18-0. The Gators had a 21-10 point advantage in the frame, led by nine points from Lauer.
 
Kenyon took advantage of Allegheny foul trouble in the fourth as they slowly pulled within one point, 62-61, with just over a minute to go. The score remained that way until the final seconds of play. After Kenyon turned it over on an offensive foul with six seconds remaining, Lauer was sent to the free-throw line. The junior made one to push the lead to 63-61. The Owls had one more chance but the Gator defense did not allow them to get a shot off as they picked up the win.
 
Inside the Box

• Lauer led the Gators with 22 points while also grabbing seven rebounds and assisting on two baskets.
• Genareo was second on the team with nine points while also tallying two rebounds and two assists.
• Bickart put together a well-rounded game, leading the team with 10 rebounds, eight assists and four steals while also contributing eight points.
• Sarah Santicola (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) also scored eight points with eight rebounds. She also blocked four shots for the eighth time this season.
• Alexis Caldwell (Whitefish Bay, Wis./Whitefish Bay) added eight points with a pair of rebounds.
• The Gators forced 20 turnovers, resulting in 26 points.

News and Notes

• Allegheny improved to 10-8 on the season.
• The win improves the Gators all-time record against Kenyon to 47-34.
• Lauer's 28 field goal attempts tied Delaney Arbore for the third most in a game for the Gators.

Up Next
The Gators return to the road Wednesday (Jan. 25) when they visit PAC foe Geneva for a 7 pm contest.