Box Score Pitt-Johnstown 72, Kutztown 70 (HTML Box Score) JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Facing a 12-point deficit at halftime (39-27), the Kutztown University women's basketball team fought back in the second half, ultimately falling to the Univeristy of Pitt-Johnstown Mountain Cats 72-70 in the final minute of a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover matchup Wednesday evening from the Johnstown Sports Center.
Kutztown (5-4) was not able to grab a single lead against Pitt-Johnstown (4-6) the entire game, but a steal by
Advia Campbell (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape) led to a
Jenna Altomare (Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa./State College Area) three-pointer with 21 seconds left, tying the game at 70-70. However, the Mountain Cats were able to retain possession after the trey and draw the foul, solidifying the win with two converted free throws by Kayla DeCriscio.
KU got off to a slow start in the first half, shooting 35.1 percent from the field (13-for-37). Freshman
Kelsey Watson (Collegeville, Pa./Methacton) came off the bench to provide a legitimate force, knocking down half of her field goals for eight points.
Down by 12 coming out of the break, the Maroon and Gold were able to cut the score to 50-44 with 13 minutes left to play. KU then continued on to a 15-2 run, scratching the UPJ lead down to five points (52-47).
Back-to-back three's opened UPJ's lead from three to nine (66-57) with four minutes to play, posing a game-ending threat for the surging Golden Bears. With 40 seconds to go, freshman
Kara Funk (Dover, Pa./Dover) brought her squad back into the game, nailing two free throws to bring KU within three (70-67).
UPJ regained the rock after the foul shots, only to have Campbell secure a steal and dish the ball to
Alyssa Bonenberger (Walnutport, PA/Northampton Area), finding Altomare for the game-tying three-pointer. Funk then committed the necessary foul, while UPJ's DeCriscio converted both shots from the charity stripe, putting the Mountain Cats up by two (72-70). With eight ticks left on the clock, Kutztown was able to get down the floor and get off three layups, falling short on all of them, giving UPJ the victory.
After a triple-double and a double-double in the last two games, Campbell came up a bit short of excellence against UPJ, throwing down seven points and grabbing a team second-best nine rebounds, while leading the team with three blocks.
Bonenberger did in fact record a double-double in the defeat, her second on the season, with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while adding a team-leading five assists. Watson led the Maroon and Gold with 16 points, her second career game scoring in double figures, while adding five boards and two steals.
Altomare finished third with 10 points, nailing both of her attempts from beyond the arc. Point guards
Jess Harvey (Barnegat, N.J./Rumson Fair-Haven Regional) and Funk both finished with seven points.
Leah Hansen knocked down 20 points for the Mountain Cats, hitting a perfect 5-for-5 from the charity stripe and leading the team with six assists. Center Jasmine Harper recorded a substantial double-double in the UPJ victory, finishing with 16 points and 16 boards. DeCriscio ended up third with 11 points, while a total of five Mountain Cats scored in the double figures during the win.
Kutztown ends its quick road trip this week at 1-1, heading home this Saturday, Dec. 21 for a PSAC crossover matchup against Indiana (PA) at Keystone Arena, scheduled to tip-off at 1 p.m.
