The Penn State Behrend women's basketball team dropped league opponent La Roche, 65-50, on Thursday, January 22 at home in the Junker Center.

In the first half Behrend trailed early, 10-2 at the 14:40 mark. Coach Fornari's time-out helped the squad focus up. Behrend then tied the game at 10 apiece after Kelly Nowacinski (Erie, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep) connected on a pair of free-throws.

Rachel Richardson's (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) steal and lay-in provided Behrend with a two-point lead at 16-14. This advantage expanded to eight points at three separate occasions during the closing minutes of the half as the blue and white entered the break with a 35-28 gap.

Richardson led with ten points, while Kim Pol (Erie, Pa./Central) came off the bench to provide the team with a spark and hit all four of her attempts from the field for 10 points.

In the second frame, Behrend created a 30-22 difference en route to the 15 point win. Richardson and Pol concluded the game with a game-high 17 points. Senior guard Natalie Engel (McDonald, Pa./Fort Cherry) added 13 points and seven boards.

Behrend forced 30 Redhawk turnovers, while restricting La Roche to 28% shooting from the field. Behrend improves to 7-8 overall and 5-4 in the league, while La Roche falls to 7-9 and 4-5 in the AMCC. 

The blue and white are back in action this Saturday, January 24 when AMCC opponent Frostburg State travels to Erie for a 1:00 p.m. conference contest.