ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Cedar Crest College basketball team dropped a 64-43 decision against Penn College on Saturday afternoon in a United East Conference battle at Lees Gymnasium on Senior Day.

Three Wildcats scored in double digits led by first-year Gigi Parlante (Williamsport, Pa.) with a game-high 22 points. Penn College (15-10 overall, 12-4 United East) shot 37.7 percent as a team and scored 24 points off 18 turnovers. 

Sophomore Caylie Long (Powder Springs, Ga./Hillgrove) paced the Falcons with 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. First-year Maliya Gonzalez (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) chipped in nine points, six boards, and three assists. Senior Rachel Bilger (Philadelphia, Pa./Upper Dublin) tallied eight points, six rebounds, and two assists. Senior Bryanna Rivera (Reading, Pa./Greenfield (Mass.)) turned in eight points, six caroms, two assists, and two steals. First-year Emily Matoushek (Waymart, Pa./Forest City Regional) registered six points while draining a pair of threes.

Cedar Crest couldn't overcome a slow start after shooting just 4-for-14 in the opening quarter and falling behind by 15. Gonzalez provided a pair of baskets in the period, but Penn College led 21-8 heading into the second and never let the margin slip below double digits the rest of the way.

The Falcons bounced back in the second quarter but couldn't make up any ground. The Wildcats, which led 32-16 at the break, added to the margin in the second half. Parlante netted six points in the final stanza to fuel the offense.

Penn College owned a 48-43 advantage on the glass. Parlante finished with a game-high 11 boards. Senior Rachel Teats (Middleburg, Pa.) finished with nine boards.

Cedar Crest (8-11 overall, 6-10 United East) has qualified for the United East Conference Championship Tournament as the No. 12 seed and will face fifth-seeded Bryn Athyn College in a First Round game on Wednesday, February 19. Penn College has claimed the fourth seed and received a first-round bye into the quarters on Saturday, February 22.