Boyer Helps Women's Basketball Collect First AMCC Win

ERIE, Pa. – Nicole Boyer (Blairsville, PA/Blairsville) recorded her first career double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds to lead Penn State Behrend women's basketball team over Franciscan in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) 51-36 on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions (2-4, 1-1 AMCC) held the Barons (0-4, 0-2 AMC) to just 17 points over the final two quarters to pick up their first home and conference win of the season. Boyer's 14 points and 13 rebounds are career highs, while Autumn Byes (Erie, PA/Villa Maria Academy) and Emily Kinecki (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep) each added 12 points and four steals.

Rebekah Nevarez led Franciscan with 14 points.

Behrend had a slow start to the first quarter and the Barons took advantage for a 10-4 lead. Nevarez hit a triple to start the second and give Franciscan its largest lead at 13-6. From there the Lions went on a 12-4 run to take their first lead after an Erika Woll (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep) layup with 2:37 to play before halftime.

Kaitlyn Sonneberger responded with a jumper to make it 19-18 but Boyer drained a pair of free throws to send the teams into the locker rooms with a one-point edge at 20-19.

Behrend never trailed again and outscored Franciscan 17-9 in the third quarter for a 37-28 advantage. Five different players scored in the quarter led by Kinecki's six while Abby Dillman (Erie, PA/McDowell) made her first collegiate basket with 2:24 remaining in the period.

The Lions forced 36 turnovers by the Barons and made a season-best 24 steals, while holding a 50-35 difference in rebounds.

Behrend returns to action on Monday against Grove City. Game begins at 6 p.m.