WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Trailing behind Penn St.-Altoona after an early lead, seniors Ashley Yoh (Myerstown, Pa. / Eastern Lebanon County) and Meghan Dufner (Washington, N.J. / Warren Hills Regional) brought the Lycoming College women's basketball team to the lead by the end of the third quarter, but Penn State Altoona rallied in the last 10 minutes to post a 60-49 win in Lycoming's season opener at Lamade Gym on Wednesday night, Nov. 13.
Yoh finished with 16 points and seven rebounds for the Warriors (0-1 overall) and Dufner added 13 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Junior Allison Fisher (Lower Burrell, Pa. / Burrell) also added seven points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Dufner hit a layup and junior Kami Abdo (Pottsville, Pa. / Nativity BVM) made a three-pointer, as Lycoming scored the game's first five points. The Warriors maintained the lead in the first quarter, 16-8, with Dufner leading Lycoming's efforts with two layups, one jumper, and three assists. Senior Mya Wetzel (Frackville, Pa. / North Schuylkill) also contributed two three-pointers and an assist .
In the second quarter, the Lady Lions (1-2 overall) jumped ahead with a 26-22 lead. In the period, Fisher secured a free throw and 3-pointer and Yoh posted two free throws.
The Warriors reclaimed their lead in the third period, ending the quarter ahead, 39-38. Both Abdo and Yoh earned points off free throws with Abdo claiming two and Yoh securing four. Dufner hit a 3-pointer late in the quarter to tie the game before Yoh hit a free throw to give Lycoming the lead.
Yoh hit a second-chance layup to take a 45-42 lead with 7:29 left, but Penn State Altoona scored the next 13 points and led by 13 with 43 seconds left to take control of the game.
Jordan Bisignani led the Lions with 19 points and six assists, followed by Madison Rusnica with 17 points and three assists.
The Warriors return to Lamade Gym on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. for a non-conference game against King's (Pa.).