Lions Drop AMCC Opener to D'Youville

ERIE, Pa. – The D'Youville women's basketball team had four players in double figures, led by Shannon Dougherty with 18 points, to defeat Penn State Behrend 62-44 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) opener for both teams on Wednesday night.

The Spartans (3-4, 1-0 AMCC) clamped down on defense and shot 54.4 percent from the floor in the first half for a commanding 33-15 lead at the break to make the difference and give D'Youville its first-ever win over the Lions (1-3, 0-1 AMCC).

Jean-Ann Korona tallied 12 points, while Alexis Smith added 11 and Danette Laguerre came off the bench for 10 to round out the players in double digits.

Brianna Bayly (Imperial, PA/West Allegheny) paced Behrend with 16 points, six rebounds and two steals.

 In the decisive first half, the Spartans held the Lions to just 20 percent shooting from the field while finding a way to make more than half their shots for an 18-point advantage by the 9:18 mark.

Behrend tried to recover from the three-point range but could only convert three triples on 21 attempts.

D'Youville's lead grew to 23 in the final three minutes of the half, but Bayly scored the final five points for a 33-15 deficit at intermission.

The Lions were down but not out, starting the second stanza with an 11-3 run to pull within 12 points at 38-26. Dougherty was able to make a fast-break layup and then a three-pointer to stop Behrend's run and keep the Spartans double-digit lead that remained steady through the half.

In addition to points, D'Youville had the edge on the glass (39-27) but the Lions won the turnover game (16-21).  

Sadie Zielinski (Erie, PA/Harborcreek) hit a pair of triples to finish with eight points and three boards.

Behrend returns to action on Saturday at Mt. Aloysius. Game time is 3 p.m.