Mt. Aloysius Nips Lions in Double Overtime

CRESSON, Pa.  – Lindsey Sammarco and Becky Bard combined for 53 points to lead Mt. Aloysius over Penn State Behrend 86-81 in double overtime in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) women's basketball action on Saturday.

Sammarco, the current AMCC Player of the Week, scored a game-high 27 points, including six out of the Mounties (12-7, 7-5 AMCC) 10 points in the second overtime to make the difference in the close conference contest. With the win, Mt. Aloysius completes the sweep of the regular-season series with the Lions (11-7, 9-4 AMCC).   

Behrend had four players in double figures. Senior Julia Myers (Edinboro, PA/General McLane) tied a career high with 26 points and 15 rebounds, while going 10-for-14 from the free-throw line. Brianna Bayly (Imperial, PA/West Allegheny) drained five triples to finish with 19 points.

Behrend, who is 10-0 when leading at halftime, narrowly held a two-point lead after the first half but could not hold through the next three periods for its fourth conference loss.

With the game neck-and-neck in the second half and eventually tied at 60-all with 1:34 remaining, Olivia Rupp made the unconventional three-point play with the layup, foul and free throw to put the hosts up by three.

After one missed attempt, Bayly was able to knock in her second shot with four seconds left to send the game into overtime.

Both teams relied on three-pointers and free throws in the first overtime. Myers was perfect from the line in the first five minute period, but it was Bayly's heroics that kept the Lions in the game. Her trey with 28 seconds left to knot the game at 74-all and then made a jump shot with time expiring to send the game into a second overtime.

Mt. Aloysius scored the first nine points of the second overtime to run away with the lead and hold on for the conference win.

Aly Eagle (Harmony, PA/Seneca Valley) added 13 points and Holly Bourquin (Pittsburgh, PA/Fox Chapel) posted 10 points to complete the four in double digits.  

Behrend returns to action on Wednesday against Medaille. Game time is 6 p.m.