HAMBURG, N.Y. - The Penn State Altoona women's basketball team returned to winning ways Wednesday afternoon, when they beat Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference opponent Hilbert 62-48 at Hafner Recreation Center.  

Penn State Altoona (7-5, 2-1 AMCC) outshot Hilbert (1-12, 1-3 AMCC) in all four quarters and despite a third-quarter push by the Hawks, the Lions held on for the 14-point win.  

Avana Sayles (Venetia, PA/Peters Township) had her seventh double-double of the season, scoring 19 points (which was the most of all scorers in the game) and grabbing 16 rebounds. Sayles also had two assists and two blocks. Madison Rusnica (DuBois, PA/DuBois) provided an additional 13 points, along with five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.  

For the Hawks, Learsi Sabala led in scoring with 14 points, while Mia Aldaya chipped in 12 points.  

The Lions started off on the front foot, going on a 10-3 run in the first four minutes of the first quarter. In the run, Rusnica scored three free throws and a three pointer; Halle Kuzminski (Warren, PA/Warren) scored a layup, and Jaidyn McCracken (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis) scored a layup.  

The Hawks responded with a 9-2 run with 4:31 left in the quarter to cut Penn State Altoona's lead to three points.  

The Lions hit the court running in the second quarter, going on a 10-0 run to start the quarter. In it, Rusnica scored two free throws as well as a jumper; Kuzminski scored two jump shots, and Sayles scored a jump shot to give Penn State Altoona a 31-14 lead. At 1:10, Ellie Irvin (Calvin, PA/Southern Huntingdon) scored a three-point shot to give Penn State Altoona a 19-point lead, their largest in the game.  

Hilbert came into the third quarter looking to make a comeback. The Hawks went on a 9-2 run that lasted over half of the third quarter that closed the Lions' lead to 10 points. At 2:08, Sayles scored a jump shot to extend the gap to 13 points.  

For much of the fourth quarter, scoring was even between the two teams. Then in the final two minutes, Sayles scored a jumper, Rusnica scored a layup, and Lanie Wilt (Altoona, PA/Altoona) scored a free throw to close out the contest at 62-48 and give the Lions their seventh win of the season.  

Up next, the Penn State Altoona women's basketball team will start a two-game homestand, the first of which is Saturday, January 10, against Alfred State. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.