No. 13 Roaring Lions Fall 94-87 in OT to No. 12 Berkeley (NY)

March 8, 2012

UNIONTOWN, Pa. - No. 13-seed Penn State Fayette rallied late to force overtime against no. 12-seed Berkeley (NY), but couldn't overcome four players fouling out as the Roaring Lions fell 94-87 in a 2012 USCAA National Basketball Championship consolation game on Thursday evening in Maltho Gymnasium at Penn State Fayette.

Sophomore All-American Jill Guthrie (Uniontown, Pa.) scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to extend her streak of double-doubles to four. Guthrie was joined in double figures by three teammates, including 21 points and eight steals from freshman All-American Caitlin Wontroba (Uniontown, Pa.) and 18 points from junior Kaitlyn Novak (Bobtown, Pa.). Junior All-American Kasey Ruble (Fairchance, Pa.) added 14 points and four assists for Fayette.

Fayette and Berkeley traded runs in the first half, and halftime saw the score knotted at 34-34. After six lead changes to begin the second half, Berkeley used an 10-2 run to grab a 71-60 lead with 6:02 remaining in the game. The Roaring Lions jumped back into it with three's from Guthrie and Novak, and a Wontroba free throw brought Fayette within one at 73-72 with 2:15 remaining.

Berkeley took a 78-74 with 33 seconds remaining, but Novak hit a three and two missed free throws by Berkeley gave Fayette the ball. After two missed free throws by Novak, Berkeley missed two more free throws and senior Jennifer Thomas (Uniontown, Pa.) was fouled with five seconds remaining. After missing her first free throw, Thomas nailed the second to tie the score and Berkeley was unable to get a shot off in time to send the game to overtime.

After scoring on the overtime tip-off, Fayette was unable to keep their starters on the floor as Ruble, Guthrie, Wontroba and senior Heather Burton (Uniontown, Pa.) all fouled out. Berkeley pulled away midway through the overtime period and made six free throws late to seal it.

Fayette struggled from the free throw line, going 18-for-40 on the night, and were outrebounded 68-49. Fayette had 20 steals on the night, but it was not enough to overcome a poor shooting night from behind the three-point arc as the Roaring Lions went 7-for-32 on the night.

Fayette set program records for wins (15) during the season, and won their first PSUAC regular season and tournament championships.