Lions Dominate Second Half to Down Medaille

ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend women's basketball team used a 19-7 run to start the second half to take the lead that would not relinquish to defeat Medaille 69-57 in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) action on Wednesday night.

In the conference opener for both teams, the Lions (4-1, 1-0 AMCC) erased a five-point halftime deficit and dominated the second half to collect their fourth win of the season. Holly Bourquin poured in a career-high 25 points, resetting her previous high of 19 points with 13 minutes left in the game.

The Mavericks (1-3, 0-1 AMCC) had three players in double figures led by Joelle Pollak. The sophomore guard netted 18 points and eight rebounds.

Medaille took control of a close first half in the final five minutes, outscoring Behrend 7-2 to take a 31-26 lead at the break. The Mavericks held the Lions to one field goal scored by Bourquin during the run, while Pollak tallied five straight points for their biggest lead. Bourquin recorded 13 of the Lions' 26 points in the opening stanza.

Behrend came out of the locker rooms with the spark that ignited 5-for-5 shooting in the first four minutes of the second half, giving the Lions a 38-37 edge.

A three-point by Pollak tied the contest for the seventh time, but it also marked the last time. Behrend used another run, this time a 14-4 stretch to push the lead to double digits at 54-41. Aly Eagle and Kim Pol each hit a triple and Wilwohl hit three consecutive shots for the comfortable advantage.

The Lions never backed down and made it a 15-point game with 2:12 left to play to secure the conference win.

Wilwohl shot 7-for-13 from the field to finish with 15 points and four assists. Myers had her second double-double with 11 points and 11 boards. As a team, Behrend shot its best from the field at 54.5 percent.

The Lions return to action on Saturday at Penn State Altoona. Game time is 5 p.m.