MEADVILLE, Pa. – Jess Bickart (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) tallied 24 points and 22 rebounds as the Allegheny women's basketball team defeated Geneva 77-69 Saturday (Jan. 27) in Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) action.
 
The Golden Tornadoes started the game on a 6-0 run, but the Gators brought it to 8-6 midway through the frame. After a traditional three point play by Geneva, Jasmyn Fisher (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) scored a quick four points to make it a one point contest once again. Fisher's play sparked a 12-2 run to end the quarter, including a buzzer beating jumper by 
Bickart at the end.
 
Analyse Rios (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek) scored the first four points of the second quarter for Allegheny as they maintained their lead. Geneva pulled within three, 30-27, late in the half. A three by Bickart followed by a transition layup by Rios pushed the lead to 36-29. The Golden Tornadoes hit a three at the end of the frame, but the Gators still led 36-32 at the half.
 
Bickart led the way for the Gators in the first half, totaling 15 points, nine rebounds, five steals and four assists. Rios was also in double-figures with 10 points while Sarah Santicola (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) grabbed 10 rebounds. 
 
After Geneva scored the first basket of the second half, the Gators rattled off an 11-0 run to take their largest lead at 47-34. The Golden Tornadoes dropped the lead to single digits a few times, but the Gators took a 63-52 lead into the final quarter.
 
The Golden Tornadoes threatened a few times in the fourth quarter as the Allegheny lead fell to as low as seven. However, the Gators defense held strong as they held on for the conference victory.
 
Inside the Box

• Bickart led the Gators with 24 points and 22 rebounds, both career highs for the sophomore. Additionally, Bickart tallied seven assists and six steals.
• Santicola also had a big day on the boards, pulling down 17 rebounds while scoring seven points and blocking a pair of shots.
• Emily Lauer (Knox, Pa./Keystone) finished with 13 points to go alongside five rebounds, two steals and two assists.
• Sofia Genareo (Lakewood, N.Y./Southwestern Central) tallied 10 points, four assists and a pair of blocks.
• Rios was the fourth Gator in double-digits, scoring 10 points while grabbing three rebounds.
• Branygan Bianchin (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) netted seven points while Jasmyn Fisher (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) had six.
• Kate Leach (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) had a pair of blocks.
• The Gators outrebounded the Golden Tornadoes 59-49.  

News and Notes

• Allegheny moved to 10-9 overall and 9-5 in PAC play.
• The Gators are currently 10-4 all-time against Geneva.
• Bickart had career-highs with 24 points and 22 rebounds. The 22 rebounds were just three shy of the program record. 

Up Next
The Gators conclude their current three game homestand Wednesday as they host Westminster.