Free-Throw Shooting Lifts Lions Past D'Youville

BUFFALO, NY – Ali Goetz (Mars, PA/Mars) scored a season-high 19 points, draining four three-pointers, to lead Penn State Behrend women's basketball past D'Youville 58-55 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) opener for both teams on Wednesday night.

Goetz scored seven of the team's eight points in the fourth quarter to help the Lions (3-2, 1-0 AMCC) hold on for their first conference win of the season. Heidi Langhorst (Corapolis, PA/Our Lady of the Sacred Heart) added 11 points and three blocks, while Dani Reinwald (Clymer, NY/Clymer Central) posted her fourth double-double with 12 rebounds and 10 points.

The Spartans (3-4, 0-1 AMCC) also had three players in double figures, led by Alexis Smith with 17 points.

Behrend relied on the charity stripe for its second straight win by three points. The Lions, who shot 80 percent from the free-throw line (21-of-26) scored all its points in the fourth quarter from the line to halt D'Youville's comeback attempt.

Each team had a quarter where they outscored their opponent by 10 or more points, while the other two were decided by five points or less.

The Lions had a big second quarter to erase a three-point deficit and take a 31-22 lead at halftime that turned into a 50-37 advantage after the third quarter.

The Spartans managed to tie the game twice in the fourth quarter, but it was Goetz who only missed one free throw on eight attempts to keep Behrend in front.

The Lions return to action on Saturday against La Roche. Tip-off is at 4 p.m.