Mandi Johnston Nets 1,000th Career Point in the 74-61 Triumph over Grove City

McKeesport, Pa. - In three seasons of hard-work and dedication, junior guard Mandi Johnston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) posted her 1,000th career point in a Lion jersey, Wednesday night, as the Penn State Greater Allegheny women's basketball team defeated NCAA Division III, Grove City, by the score of 74-61.

Junior guard Tra-Esha Carswell (Homestead, Pa./Steel Valley) was first on the board for Greater Allegheny as freshman guard Ronnie Upsher (Pittsburgh, Pa./McKeesport) matched her jumper. Junior guard Mandi Johnston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) zipped up five points as Upsher and senior guard Jess Manfredi (Pittsburgh, Pa./Serra Catholic) hit a layup to tie the game at 13 just five minutes into the game.

Upsher and Carswell deposited two points each before sophomore guard Andrea Burroughs (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) put up points in the paint. Carswell and Upsher put up two points a piece as Johnston added a free-throw, Greater Allegheny leading 24-17 after the first quarter.

Johnston was good for the first four points of the second quarter as Upsher proceeded her with the next four. Burroughs noted a layup as Johnston compiled the next nine points, finishing the first half at a Greater Allegheny advantage at halftime, 45-27.

Johnston started the half with a layup before Carswell added four straight. Johnston continued to score, as the junior marked her 1,000th career point in a Greater Allegheny jersey with a forced turnover and steal, fast break layup to give GA the lead 59-37. Carswell and Burroughs added points in the paint to give GA the lead heading into the final quarter of action, 63-45.

Upsher accounted the for the first five points of the final quarter as Carswell downed a layup and a pair from the foul line, 72-30 GA. Johnston completed the scoring for the home team with two more from the foul line, Greater Allegheny taking the win 74-61.

Johnston finished the game with a double-double as she put up 29 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and four blocks as the power-house completed 94% (15-of-16) of her shots from the foul line. Upsher surged with a double-double herself, as the freshman put up 19 points, ten rebounds two assists and two steals. Carswell earned 16 points with nine rebounds and three steals. 

As a team, Greater Allegheny out-rebounded the Wolverines 58-45 as the women shot 38% (27-of-71) from the floor and 71.4% (20-of-28) from the foul line. The Lions accomplished 44 points in the paint with 28 points off of 21 Grove City turnovers.

Greater Allegheny (4-6, 2-2 PSUAC) looks forward to getting back to the Penn State University Athletic Conference schedule, as the women travel with the men for a double-header, Friday evening. The women are set for tip-off at 6 p.m.