WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- For the first time since 2010, Penn College will have its men's and women's basketball teams in playoff action during the same season when they take to the court on Saturday as the United East Conference Volt Divisions playoffs begin. The Wildcats' women's hoops begin on the road at #3 Penn State Abington at 2 p.m.
Closing out the regular season on Wednesday at Gallaudet University, Penn College fell 69-47 to go to 2-10 in the conference and 6-19 overall as it heads into the playoffs for the second year in a row.
During the regular season, the Wildcats lost 68-57 at home on Jan. 16 against Abington and fell 91-54 on the road Feb. 10.
"We are grateful and excited that the program has made playoffs for the second year in a row. I don't think we've hit our potential yet this season, and entering postseason it is anyone's game, and it is our opportunity to leave our mark," Mohney said.
"We have offensive threats across the board in Rachel Teats, Emily Pardee, Lexi Troup and Mia Patterson. If we can play a consistent ballgame for four periods, we can compete against any team in our conference," Mohney said.
Teats of Middleburg leads the team with 299 points and 134 rebounds. She has 836 career points. Pardee of Williamsport has 192 points and 122 rebounds, Troup of Huntingdon has 171 points and 89 rebounds, and Patterson of Loyalsock Township has 128 points and 131 rebounds.
"Going up against Abington in the first round means we have to focus on rebounding and controlling our possessions. They play a quick, up-tempo ballgame that pressures opponents to make rushed decisions. If we play poised, we will give ourselves a fighting chance," Mohney said.
"I look forward to seeing Rachel perform in postseason play. She has been playing her best ball this season, in and out of conference across the boards. Our energy and our momentum thrive through her play and leadership. She gets everyone involved because of her play-making abilities," Mohney added.
By the numbers
On offense against conference foes, Penn College is averaging 52.2 points per game.
On defense against conference foes, Penn College is allowing 61.1 points per game.
In the UE, Penn College is averaging 35 rebounds and its opponents 39.
In the UE, Penn College is averaging 20.4 turnovers and its opponents 14.7.
In the Volt Division, top-seeded Penn State Harrisburg and second-seeded Gallaudet University received first-round byes. Fourth seed St. Mary's (Md.) College will host fifth-seed Lancaster Bible College in the other first-round game.
In the Skye Division, Notre Dame (Md.) and St. Elizabeth University are seeded at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, and received first-round byes. In Saturday's games, No. 3 Bryn Athyn will host No. 6 Cedar Crest and No. 4 Wilson College will host No. 5 Cairn University.
Since-departed SUNY Morrisville won last season's UE championship and Notre Dame (Md.) captured the CSAC crown.
Final UE Volt Division regular-season standings: Penn State Harrisburg (11-1 UE/14-11 overall), Gallaudet University (10-2/17-8), Penn State Abington (7-5/11-14), St. Mary's (Md.) College (6-6/13-11), Lancaster Bible College (6-6/8-16), Penn College (2-10/6-19), Penn State Berks (0-12/1-21).
Final UE Skye Division regular-season standings: Notre Dame (Md.) (16-2/19-6), St. Elizabeth University (15-3/20-5), Bryn Athyn (13-5/16-7), Wilson College (12-6/13-12), Cairn University (10-8/15-10), Cedar Crest College (9-9/10-11), Keystone College (9-9/11-14), Clarks Summit University (2-16/3-21), Rosemont (2-16/3-22), Valley Forge (2-16/2-22).
