Lions Fall In Final Seconds To La Roche

PITTSBURGH, Pa.  – Chantelle Jennings drained the game-winning three-pointer with seven seconds on the clock to help La Roche edge Penn State Behrend 54-53 in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) action on Monday night.

Jennings finished with a game-high 21 points to keep La Roche (17-4, 12-2 AMCC) at the No. 2 spot in the conference standings and post its second consecutive win over the Lions (15-6, 11-4 AMCC) this season.

Behrend had two milestones that were nearly broken on the night. Amy Oldach, who entered the game 11 points away from 1,000, scored 10 points on 7-for-8 shooting from the free-throw line. Head coach Roz Fornari stays at 299 career coaching victories and will look to get 300 in front of a home crowd on Wednesday night.

Holly Bourquin posted her fourth double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

A total of 22 points combined were scored in the final 10 minutes of the game. With the Redhawks with a 45-40 lead, Behrend relied on its shooting from the charity stripe to stay in the contest. 

Oldach drained a triple and Emily Detsch hit a pair from the line to tie the game at 45-all. Bourquin got another one to fall from the free-throw line for a one-point visitor's lead.

Jennings tied the game for the third time in the half with a free throw and Brianna Bayly made a layup to get back the Lions' two-point lead. A Jessica Pitts free throw and Amanda Garland's layup gave La Roche a 49-48 edge.

Bourquin was a perfect 4-for-4 from the line over the next minute of play to put Behrend ahead, 52-49. Ariel Green took advantage of a Lions turnover and land her jumper to cut the lead to one.

Oldach hit the back end of two free throws to make it 53-51 with 26 seconds left, but Jennings managed to get the trey with seven seconds left and Oldach's could not get her three-pointer at the buzzer to fall.

The Redhawks took a double-digit lead at the 10:23 mark of the first half and stayed out front through halftime, taking a six-point advantage into the break.

Kim Pol hit a three to open the second stanza, however La Roche built its largest lead of the have over the next three minutes to make it 39-31.

Behrend returns to action on Wednesday against Pitt-Bradford. The game begins at 6 p.m. and can also be watched live on Image Sports Network.