WAYNESBURG, Pa. -- Allegheny College women's basketball used an explosive third quarter to defeat Waynesburg University, 72-54, on the road on Saturday afternoon inside Waynesburg's Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse.

With the win, the Gators (12-9, 11-5 PAC) not only completed the series sweep of the Yellow Jackets (4-17, 3-13 PAC) for the 2023-24 season, but Allegheny extended its win streak to five consecutive games.

With four games left in the regular season, the Blue and Gold remain third in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) standings and are well on their way to hosting a quarterfinal in the conference tournament.

The Gators started strong and led by as many as eight points in the first quarter. In the second stanza, however, a rejuvenated Yellow Jackets team used several timely 3-pointers and came all the way back. At halftime, Allegheny held onto a one-point lead, 28-27.

Allegheny's top scorer, Emily Lauer (Knox, Pa./Keystone), shook off a slow start and sparked an incredible 30-point third quarter that put the game well out of Waynesburg's reach. Lauer scored 19 of her game-high 24 points in the third quarter, as Allegheny's one-point advantage grew to a comfortable 22-point cushion, 58-36, by the end of the third.

Inside the Box Score

• After shooting only 24.4% (11-of-45) in the first half, the Gators found their stroke in the second half and shot 47.2% (17-of-36) across the final 20 minutes.
• Waynesburg finished 19-of-66 (28.8%) from the field and 8-of-29 (27.6%) from 3-point range.
• The two teams combined for 101 total rebounds, with Allegheny clinging to a narrow 51-to-50 advantage on the boards.
• The Yellow Jackets committed twice as many turnovers, and the Gators recorded 12 steals on 26 giveaways.
• Lauer led all scorers with 24 points, 19 of which came in the decisive third quarter.
• Jess Bickart (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) added 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and five steals.
• Sarah Santicola (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) had a double-double with 12 points and 18 rebounds in addition to three assists and a team-high three blocks.
• Sofia Genareo (Lakewood, N.Y./Southwestern Central), who scored Allegheny's first four points, ended with 10 points and seven rebounds.
• Mia Henkins led Waynesburg with 15 points, all from 3-point range.

News and Notes

• Allegheny improved to 12-9 overall and 11-5 against PAC competition this season.
• The Gators swept the two-game series against Waynesburg, which included a 90-53 victory at home on December 9.
• Allegheny has won nine consecutive matchups against Waynesburg dating back to the 2011-12 season.
• Lauer surpassed the 20-point plateau for the fifth time this season.
• Santicola finished one shy of her single-game season-high in rebounds and logged her 10th double-double.
• Bickart has dished out seven assists in four straight games and has reached double-digit points in three consecutive outings.

Up Next
Allegheny heads to second-place Chatham University on Wednesday, February 7, for a 6:00 p.m. contest against the Cougars in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.