Franciscan Topples Lions in AMCC Action

ERIE, Pa. – Franciscan had four players in double figures, led by Dani Link and Iliana Gonzales with 18 points each to earn an 86-49 win over Penn State Behrend in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) women's basketball action on Saturday.

The Barons (3-7, 2-3 AMCC) did everything right, including shooting 54.2 percent from the floor and 81 percent from the free-throw line to snap a 10-game losing streak to the Lions (1-10, 0-5 AMCC). Helen Raines tallied 14 points and five assists, while Katie Rhodes added 13 points.

Behrend, who have never lost to Franciscan since the series began in 2008-09, only connected on 5-for-21 from beyond the arc and committed 27 turnovers. Ally Burke (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst) had a team-best 16 points and Natalie Corso (Moon Township, PA/Moon) posted 10 points.

Rhodes and Link were in double figures after the first half, helping the Barons jump out to a 40-18 lead.

With Franciscan holding an 11-9 lead, the Barons held Behrend scoreless for nearly six minutes while going on a 12-0 run to make it 23-9. Clarissa Sutter's layup at the 3:33 mark put Franciscan ahead by 21 points.

The Lions almost doubled their output from the first half. Behrend scored 31 points and shot 44.4 percent from the field.

The Barons, however, controlled the backboard, pulling down 37 rebounds to the Lions 23.  

For the third straight game, Brittany Kiger (White Oak, PA/McKeesport) led the team in rebounds with nine.

The Lions return to action tomorrow against Penn State Altoona. Game time is 3 p.m.