Box Score

READING, Pa. – Sophomore Julia Antonelli (Hanover, Pa./New Oxford) posted a career-high 22 points and added 12 rebounds for her second double-double of the season and senior Erin Connaghan (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) added 14 points and seven rebounds to lead the Lycoming College women’s basketball team to a 60-50 win in the opening game of the Commonwealth Conference season against Albright College at the Bollmen Center on Wednesday night, Nov. 30.
 
Antonelli, whose previous career high was 20 points, had an outstanding night for the Warriors (3-2 overall, 1-0 Commonwealth), as she hit 6-of-13 from the field and all 10 of her free throws. She added 12 rebounds, including seven offensive boards, and she tied a career high with four steals. Connaghan fell a point shy of her career high, posting 14 points and seven rebounds, as she hit 4-of-6 from the field.
 
The Warriors struggled from the field, hitting 17-of-53 from the field, but were helped by picking up 14 offensive rebounds and canning 76 percent (25-of-33) of its free throws. The team’s pressing style led to 14 steals, as Albright (2-4 overall, 0-1 Commonwealth) turned the ball over 28 times despite shooting 44 percent (20-for-45) from the field.
 
After Lycoming took a four-point lead midway through the second half, the teams struggled through four minutes of scoreless play before freshman Kylee Sutton (Wysox, Pa./Towanda Area) notched a huge layup underneath to make it 48-42 with 5:49 left. Jessica Venturelli cut the lead to three points with 4:57 left with 3-pointer.  A free throw cut the lead to two points at 48-46, but junior Rachael Scheller (Sunbury, Pa./Shikellamy) added two free throws with 3:29 left to start a game-closing 12-4 Lycoming.
 
The Warriors started the game with the first six points, led by Connaghan, who scored four points during the run. The team continued to play well, getting the lead to 13 points at 21-8 after a 3-pointer from sophomore Jess Knott (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area) with 8:33 left in the opening half.
 
After a layup from Antonelli made it 29-18, the Lions went on an 11-2 run to close with two points with a minute left in the half. A free throw by Connaghan helped Lycoming take a 3-point lead into the half.
 
Connaghan hit a layup to start the second half for the Warriors, but Albright quickly fought back with a 9-2 run that gave Albright a 38-36 lead with 14:20 left. From there, the teams fought through two ties and three lead changes over the next six minutes before a jumper from Connaghan helped Lycoming take a 43-42 lead and three Warrior free throws helped the team get the lead to four points midway through the second half.
 
Scheller finished with eight points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists and Sutton added six points and four rebounds for the Warriors.
 
Amanda Tiritilli led the Lions with 10 assists and three points and Jessica Venturelli posted 14 points and six rebounds. Jenny Knoebel added 11 points and two steals. Meghan Boyle posted six points and 10 rebounds.
 
Lycoming will head back to Reading on Saturday, Dec. 3, when it heads to Alvernia for a Commonwealth Conference game at 1 p.m.