(WILLIAMSPORT, PA:)  Penn State Altoona fell behind early and never recovered in its first game of 2008, falling 66-45 at Lycoming College Monday evening.  The loss snaps the Lions' five game winning streak and evens their record at 5-5 overall while Lycoming improved to 8-4.

After senior Erin McGowan (Duncansville, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle) tied the game at 2-2 less than a minute in, Penn State Altoona did not score its next points until more than 12 minutes later at the 6:59 mark when Morgan Dougherty (Chadds Ford, PA/Unionville) connected on a triple.  Meanwhile, the host Warriors used a 15-0 run during that span to pull away and led by 18 (33-15) at intermission thanks to an Alicia Engler jumper just seconds before the halftime horn.

An Amanda Clouse free throw with 9:53 left in the game gave the hosts their largest lead at 26 (49-23).  Penn State Altoona would get no closer than 17 throughout the final half.

Altoona was a dismal 16-46 (34.8%) from the field, 6-22 from three point range (27.3%), and only 7-20 (35%) from the free throw line.  The squad also committed 27 turnovers and allowed 11 offensive rebounds resulting in 14 second chance points.

Allison Mock and Andrea Cooper paced the Lady Warriors with 13 point apiece, and teammate Samantha Ruby added 11.  All 18 players on the Lycoming roster registered floor time, and, as a unit, shot 47% from the floor (24-51) and 50% from beyond the arc (7-14).

The Lions, who were without a double-digit scorer, were fronted by McGowan's nine points and four assists.  Freshman Courtney Carroll (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle), hampered by foul trouble, chipped in seven in only 18 minutes of action.

Lycoming held the visitors to a mere five first half field goals on 20 attempts while connecting on 13 of their 29 opening half shots.  The Lady Warriors, who have yet to begin Commonwealth Conference play, improved to 6-1 all-time against the Lions.

Penn State Altoona returns to Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference action this Saturday, January 12, for a 2:00 PM contest at Penn State Behrend.

CONTACT:        Penn State Altoona Sports Information
                           Steve Crider  --  SID
                           814-949-5173
                           sac310@psu.edu