PITTSBURGH- The Pitt-Greensburg women's basketball team shot 46.7% from the field and outrebounded the Hawks 32-24, but fell 70-63 to La Roche in an Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference matchup Wednesday night in the Kerr Fitness Center.
Pitt-Greensburg played one of its most complete games of the season as it held La Roche, who entered the game in first-place in the AMCC standings with a perfect 6-0 record, to 41.7% from the field and outrebounded the Hawks by a 32-25 margin.
The Hawks led 35-31 at the halftime break and despite being outshot and outrebounded, found a way to win the game as they forced 21 turnovers by the Bobcats and converted the TO's in 28 points compared to just 10 for Pitt-Greensburg.
Jenna Cole led the Bobcats with a game and career-high 29 points on 10-of-11 from the field and a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line, and
Kelsey Oddis was also in double-figures with 13 points and eight rebounds in 39 minutes of action. Three players notched double-digit performances for La Roche led by Tichina Mitchell's 25 points.
The Bobcats led for much of the opening quarter and took their largest lead of the game 16-11 on a layup by Oddis and held a 20-15 advantage after the first 10 minutes of action.
Pitt-Greensburg continued to hang on to the lead in the opening minutes of the second stanza and after Mackenzie O'Donnell scored a layup after a steal by Danasha Harris to trim the deficit to 20-19, the Hawks reeled off an 8-0 run and led for the remainder of the quarter and would lead 35-31 at halftime.
Early on in the second half, the Bobcats cut the La Roche lead to 38-37, but like to second quarter went on an 8-0 burst to distance themselves from Pitt-Greensburg.
La Roche led for all of the final quarter, but Pitt-Greensburg would get as close as six points, but fell just short 70-63.
The Bobcats return to the court Saturday when they host Pitt-Bradford. Saturday's game is the annual SOPA (Special Olympics of Pennsylvania) Hoops Saturday, where proceeds raised during the game will go to the Special Olympics.
