New Ken women can’t hold lead, fall to Scranton

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. - Penn State New Kensington women's basketball played well through the first three quarters of Friday's home tilt against Penn State Scranton, but New Ken was plagued by foul issues and fatigue down the stretch. As a result, Scranton outscored New Ken 24-15 in the decisive fourth quarter, claiming a 65-60 victory at Penn State New Kensington.

With the setback, New Ken fell to 2-12 overall, and 1-7 in Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) action. Scranton improved to 2-11 on the campaign, and 2-7 in PSUAC play.

New Kensington entered the contest with only six players in uniform, all of whom played at least 26 minutes on Friday. Compounding the issue, freshman Auveonna Perkins (Arnold, Pa/Valley) committed her fifth foul midway through the fourth quarter, forcing the five remaining New Ken members to finish the contest on the floor.

The teams exchanged the lead frequently through the opening quarter of play, as Scranton outscored New Ken 13-11. The freshman duo of Kierra Rose (Uniontown, Pa/Uniontown Area) and Josalind Dennison (Beaver Falls, Pa/Beaver Falls) provided nine of the points for New Ken in the stanza.

Momentum shifted in New Ken's favor in the second, as the hosts outscored Scranton 21-14. Three-point shooting was the different in the quarter, as New Ken knocked down four shots from distance, include three from junior Ryleigh Beck (Saegertown, Pa/Maplewood). Additionally, freshman Deshaya Chavis (Penn Hills, Pa/Penn Hills) converted frequently at the rim, as she hit four of her six shots in the quarter, and totaled 11 points in the frame. As a result, New Ken carried a 32-27 lead into the intermission.

Rose scored the first four points of the third, pushing New Ken's lead to nine points.  Scranton responded, though, and trimmed its deficit to four points, at 45-41, entering the fourth quarter.

In the fourth, the New Ken defense faltered, as Scranton hit on 8-of-11 field goals, and also frequently went to the foul line. Scranton's duo of Rachel Lewis and Jess Berger each scored eight in the period, including a three-pointer by Berger that allowed Scranton to gain the lead, at 52-50. Although New Ken briefly regained the advantage on a conventional three-point play by Chavis, Scranton eventually pulled away for the five-point win.

Chavis paced New Ken with 22 points, six rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Rose joined her in double figures, with 14 points, and also provided 11 boards, three assists and five steals. Additionally, Beck scored 12 points, while Perkins snagged a game-high 14 rebounds before fouling out.

Scranton was boosted by Lewis and Berger, each of whom scored 18 points, and Eayoni Thompson, who had 12 points, including 6-11 at the foul line.

New Kensington's next contest, a home tilt against Penn State Wilkes-Barre, has been rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 20 at 5 p.m. Scranton, meanwhile, will return home to play Bryant and Stratton – Albany on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Written by: Sean Meyers