Women’s Basketball scores comeback victory over Penn State Altoona

ALTOONA, Pa. --- Carlow University women's basketball overcame a 25-point deficit to record an 81-76 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference victory over Penn State Altoona on the road Wednesday night.

The Celtics (6-6, 4-1 AMCC) outscored the Lions (7-8, 4-2 AMCC) 61-31 in the second half, led by senior guard Sydney Carr (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS), who ended the night with a game-high 24 points, three assists and five steals. Carr and Emma Aubrey (Bristol, Tenn./Sullivan East HS) sank nine of Carlow's 12 treys on the night. Aubrey added 14 points, and Shaelyn Clark (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong HS) went 8 for 10 from the foul line to contribute 13 points. Emiley Hillgartner (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) tallied 11 points and four assists.

Penn State Altoona went on a 17-0 run to start the second quarter, outscoring the Celtics 31-9 to lead by 25 points heading into halftime.

Whatever Head Coach Dave Gordon said during the intermission lit a fire under the team, with Aubrey hitting a three-pointer right from the start in the third quarter. The Celtics outscored the Lions 26-19 but still trailed by 18 heading into the fourth.

Carr hit a trey to begin the fourth quarter, setting the tone for what was coming in the next 10 minutes. She landed back-to-back three-pointers to pull Carlow within eight, setting off a 17-2 run for the Celtics that spanned over four-and-a-half minutes. The run culminated with Clark landing two free throws to give the Celtics a 71-70 lead with 2:46 remaining in regulation.

It was short-lived, as a three-pointer and a layup gave Penn State Altoona the advantage once again. Nina Cano (Greenville, Pa./Greenville HS/Grove City College) made one of two foul shots, and Clark sank a trey of her own to tie the game at 75-all. Clark made three more free throws to put the Celtics ahead, 78-75, with less than a minute on the clock. The Lions sank a foul shot to trail by two and were forced to foul to regain possession. Carr hit three of her four foul shots in the final 10 seconds of play to give Carlow enough cushion to outlast the Lions.

The Celtics scored 21 second-chance points and shot 52.2 percent (12 for 23) from beyond the arc. Carlow scored 12 points off 14 Lions turnovers on the night. Penn State Altoona outrebounded the Celtics, 44-39, and outscored Carlow 42-10 in the paint.

Jaidyn McCracken led the Lions with 17 points. Avana Sayles pulled down 11 boards, and two other players recorded double-digit points in the effort.

The Celtics travel to Alfred State College for a 4 p.m. AMCC game Jan. 18.