Behrend Women Open Season With Tough 84-83 Loss to Fredonia

The Penn State Behrend women's basketball team opened the 2009-10 season with a tough one-point loss, 84-83, to the Fredonia State Blue Devils in the Junker Center on Friday, November 20.

In the first half, Fredonia tore off a 13-0 run to begin the game. Then led 20-6 after nailing eight of their first nine shots. With 6:03 remaining, Behrend freshman Haley Hanson (Hermitage/Hickory) then hit back-to-back three pointers to cut the Blue Devils advantage to 40-34. A pair of free-throws by Taylor Lotis (Jefferson Hills/Thomas Jefferson) gave Behrend its first lead of the game at 45-44 with fifty-six seconds to play. Fredonia guard Caroline Hourihan connected on a lay-in in the closing seconds to provide the Blue Devils with a 48-47 lead at the break. Fredonia outshot the Behrend Lions 52% to 48% in the first half while the rebounds were even at 21.

The second twenty was a back and forth affair with 17 lead changes. In the closing minutes, Behrend's Hanson hit one-of-two at the line to give Behrend an 83-81 lead. Fredonia closed out the scoring making three of four at the line and 16 of 20 for the game to earn the 84-83 win.

Lotis posted 22 points and seven rebounds in her Behrend debut, while Amy Oldach (Erie/Villa) added and 18 point, seven rebound, six assist evening. Fredonia had four players in double digits and were paced by Merissa Gaeta's 20.

Saturday's consolation game features Behrend versus the loser of the Kenyon and Grove City match up at 1:00 p.m. Fredonia advances to the Tip-Off Tournament championship game that is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.