(PITTSBURGH, PA:) Penn State Altoona led by double digits
six minutes into the second half only to watch La Roche storm back, then hang on
for a 59-53 win Wednesday evening in both squads' Allegheny Mountain Collegiate
Conference openers. La Roche improved to 2-3 and 1-0 in the AMCC while
Altoona fell to 1-4 and 0-1 in the conference.
Sophomore guard Zach Spitz (Harrisburg, PA/Susquehanna Township)
hit a pair of free throws with 15 seconds left to cut the Lion deficit to 55-53.
After an Altoona foul, Redhawk guard Dylan Grazier sunk two freebees, and
teammate Josh Rulnick connected on two more in the waning seconds to set the
final.
The visiting Lions held a 27-24 lead at halftime and opened the
final period by scoring 11 of the first 15 points. Junior Colin Geiger
(Pottstown, PA/Pottstown) capped the run with a three pointer at the 14:33 mark
to give the visitors a 38-28 advantage.
But La Roche would use runs of 8-0 and 14-1 as the half
progressed to reclaim the lead at 50-44 with 6:41 left. The Lions got
within two points on three different occasions but were unable to draw even or
pull ahead.
Both teams shot the ball evenly, averaging around 47% from the
field, 40% from three point land, and 67% from the free throw line in the game.
La Roche did make three more field goals and held a 22-12 advantage in the
painted area.
Geiger was the leading scorer for Altoona, netting 14 points off
the bench. Senior Quintin Dziabo (Cresson, PA/Penn Cambria) had 11 points
on 5-11 shooting.
The Lion bench outscored the La Roche reserves 26-14 in large
part to Geiger's effort. Grazier finished with 13 points for the victors
while teammate Nate Davis chipped in 12.
Penn State Altoona returns to action this Saturday, December 1,
for another AMCC road contest at Hilbert. Tip time is slated for 4:00 PM.
CONTACT: Penn
State Altoona Sports Information
Steve Crider -- SID
814-949-5173
sac310@psu.edu
