Women's Hoops Opens Season With Narrow Loss to Penn State York

ARNOLD, MD—The Anne Arundel Community College women's basketball team opened the season with a narrow loss to visiting Penn State York Thursday evening at Jenkins Gym. The Riverhawks overcame a 13-point deficit to take the lead in the third quarter, and tied the game with just a minute to go, but saw the Nittany Lions eke out the win.

Brandy Middleton led the three Riverhawks in double-digit scoring with 17 points, going 7-for-8 from the charity stripe. Syrena Boone had a double-double with 19 rebounds (15 defensive) to go with 14 points. Isabella Papaleonti scored 14 points and dished three assists in her AACC debut.

Penn State scored fast and furious out of the gate, shooting 54.5% and building up a 13-point lead by the end of the first quarter. The Riverhawks responded in the second quarter, outscoring the visitors, 22-14, on 50% shooting from the floor and a 7-for-9 effort at the foul line.

A Middleton jumper early in the third gave AACC its first lead of the game, and the teams traded buckets until Leila Townsend sparked a comeback late in the third, scoring immediately after coming onto the floor. Boone capped the quarter with a three-pointer to bring the Riverhawks within two, 49-47.

Papaleonti gave AACC back the lead with a three-pointer to start the fourth quarter, but the lead was short lived as the Riverhawks missed their next three three-point attempts. Jada Turner connected from long range with 4:51 remaining to tie the game at 55-all, but back-to-back layups from Penn State built back a four-point lead for the Nittany Lions.

Middleton went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final two-and-a-half minutes to tie the game again, 59-59, but the Riverhawks could not get over the hump as Penn State hit two freebies to extend the lead. AACC had the final possession, but the Riverhawks' last attempt from underneath was blocked.

PSU York held a 42-38 lead in rebounds, while AACC recorded 16 points of the Nittany Lions' 21 turnovers. Townsend paced the defensive effort with four of the Riverhawks' 10 steals in the game.

AACC is back in action this weekend when they host the Riverhawk Invitational at Jenkins Gym. AACC faces Brookdale CC at 2 p.m. Saturday and CC of Philadelphia at 2 p.m. Sunday. Note: a daily admission fee will be charged for this weekend's tournament.