New Kensington notches second win

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. – New Kensington women's basketball notched their second win of the season on Friday after defeating Butler County Community College, 58-52. Playing a strong second quarter, the Lions outscored the Pioneers 16-3, which put them into winning territory for what was a rather close contest. The Lions' overall record will improve to 2-10.

The Pioneers remained in control of the first quarter until 1:30 when Deshaya Chavis (Penn Hills, Pa./ Penn Hills) knotted the scores with a three-point jump shot. Two more three-pointers, on behalf of Chavis and Ryleigh Beck (Saegertown, Pa./ Maplewood), sent the Lions ahead to finish out the quarter 14-11. Although the Lions and Pioneers each made five field goal attempts, the Lions' play from behind the arc pushed them ahead.

The second quarter proved to be the turning point of the game. Going on a 14-point run, the Lions held the Pioneers to a scoreless quarter until the last minute when the visitors put in a three-pointer. The Lions converted 7 of 15 shots, while the Pioneers only went 1 for 14. Kierra Rose (Uniontown, Pa./ Uniontown) led the Lions with six points. Heading into the next half, the Lions were up 30-14.

With the Lions ahead by half the score, the Pioneers upped their play in the last two quarters. During the third, the Pioneers paced with the Lions, eventually outscoring them by one. Michaella Roth pushed the Pioneers forward with nine points, while the team connected on 6 of 18 field goals. The Lions still managed to stay in front, 45-30, at the end of the third.

After an early six-point run in the final quarter, the Pioneers continued to put up big numbers. At 5:40, it was a one possession game for the Pioneers, as they only had to drop in one from the behind the arc. The Pioneers took advantage of the Lions' lack of scoring, and tightened the game to a 54-52 score, in the Lions' favor, with 27 seconds remaining. In the last few seconds of play, four free throws from Chavis captured the win for the Lions.

Leading the Lions, Erika Finn (New Kensington, Pa. Burrell) produced 13 points and added 11 rebounds. Chavis and Auveonna Perkins (Arnold, Pa./ Valley) followed with 12 points apiece, while Perkins was the leading rebounder with 17. Chavis led with 5 assists.

For the Pioneers, Roth and Casey Kretzer landed themselves 17 points each, and Roth led with five assists. Alexis Barnhart totaled 10 points and 14 rebounds.

The Lions return to play on Jan. 14 as they host Penn State Dubois in a conference matchup at 6 p.m., while the Pioneers will play at home against Point Park.  

Written by Janet Surma