SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. – With all of Schuylkill's starters hitting double digits in Saturday's women's basketball game, New Kensington was unable to match the numbers of the host. Schuylkill took the win at home 70-51, improving to 4-1 in the PSUAC while New Kensington falls to 1-4 in conference play.
After going on a small run to put themselves ahead of New Kensington in the first quarter, Schuylkill was soon faced with a one possession game. Deshaya Chavis (Penn Hills, Pa./ Penn Hills) sunk a three-point jump shot to make it 8-7. Schuylkill took back control of the game, going on a six-point run with only a few minutes remaining and ended the quarter up 18-11.
The second quarter seemed to duplicate what had happened in the first, as the host outscored New Kensington 17-11. Chavis led New Kensington with nine points, while going 4 for 4 from the line. Schuylkill only converted 5 of 21 field goals, but holding New Kensington to no points for five minutes helped its efforts in swaying the frame. At midpoint, Schuylkill was ahead 35-22.
With only a two-point difference in the third quarter's score, New Kensington almost managed to finally take over the game and outscore Schuylkill. Shaylynne Boitnott (Meadville, Pa./ Meadville) shot in 6 points to lead the quarter for the visitors, while the team went 4 for 14 in field goals, but Schuylkill converted 7 of its 22 attempts.
With ten minutes remaining to play, Schuylkill was in the lead 51-36. Morgan Edge proved to be a big contributor within this time, landing herself 10 points. Shooting in half of Schuylkill's field goals, the team attempted a total of 15, putting in eight of those. Josalind Dennison (Beaver Falls, Pa./ Beaver Falls) led for New Kensington with 6 points.
Chavis put up a personal high of 20 points to be the forefront of New Kensington's offense, as well as adding seven rebounds, five steals, and three assists. Ryleigh Beck (Saegertown, Pa./ Maplewood) also hit double digits with 15 points. Auveonna Perkins (Arnold, Pa./ Valley) was the leading rebounder with 10.
Edge became Schuylkill's top scorer with 17 points and contributed 12 rebounds. Alyssa Gerber followed with 16 points, and led in rebounds, 19.
New Kensington returns to action on Wednesday as Bethany College hosts the contest at 5:30 p.m, meanwhile Schuylkill will stay home to play Penn State Brandywine on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Written by Janet Surma
