PSUGA Women Up Three Spots in Weekly Poll
The PSUGA Women's Basketball team moved up three places in this week's USCAA Coach's Poll. After a week where the team went 2-0 and moved two games ahead of PSU-DuBois for second in the division, PSUGA continues to climb the ladder in the PSUAC
McKeesport, PA. – After a week where the Penn State Greater Allegheny Women’s Basketball Team (8-7, 6-1) went 2-0 in conference play, the ladies jumped up three spots to #16 in the weekly United States Collegiate Athletic Association Coach’s Poll. PSUGA continues to climb the ladder in the Penn State University Athletic Conference moving two games ahead of second place PSU-DuBois in the West Division.
The week started with a tightly contested game against PSU-Fayette where PSUGA was just able to hold on for a win. After going into halftime tied at 38-38, PSUGA used a 22-point third quarter and 19 more in the fourth to edge Fayette and pick up their fifth win of the season. It was a big bounce back win for PSUGA after having dropped their first conference game of the season to PSU-Beaver the Monday before.
PSUGA would then go on the road to take on PSU-Mont Alto and try to make it back-to-back wins. This one was dead even throughout as the team’s went basket for basket with each other throughout the first half and went into the locker room tied at 35-35. It wasn’t until a short 6-0 run halfway through the third quarter that PSUGA got the advantage they needed picking up the win.
PSUGA’s big three on offense Tina Clybourn (Pittsburgh, PA./Brashear HS), Tearia Hartley (East Stroudsburg, PA./East Stroudsburg North HS), and Jayla Ellis (Pittsburgh, PA./Woodland Hills HS) led the way each scoring in double digits in both games this week. With three big offensive weapons at her disposal, Head coach Chrissy French has been able to play around with her offense leading to their success this season.
It was also a big week defensively for Lexus Santiago (Pittsburgh, PA./Imani Christian Academy) the Sophomore pulled in a combined 29 rebounds between the two games including a career high 17 rebound effort against PSU-Mont Alto on Tuesday.
PSUGA is back in action on Friday when they take on Penn State Scranton at 6 p.m. as the first half of a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader inside the Wunderly Gymnasium.