Final minute proves decisive in New Ken loss

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. - The Penn State New Kensington women's basketball team held a lead in the final minute of play, but failed to close out the win, as Penn State Greater Allegheny snatched a 46-41 triumph on Wednesday.

With the defeat, host New Kensington finishes the campaign with a mark of 2-22 overall, and 1-16 in Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) play. Greater Allegheny improved to 6-15 overall, and 5-11 in the PSUAC.

New Ken, which held the advantage for most of the contest, carried a one-point lead into the fourth quarter. After the squads exchanged the lead multiple times, freshman Deshaya Chavis (Penn Hills, Pa./Penn Hills) hit a pair of foul shots to stake New Ken to a 41-40 edge with 1:01 left in regulation.

On the ensuing possession, however, Greater Allegheny's Tina Clybourn hit a three-pointer to put the visitors in front. New Ken failed to generate a basket, while Greater Allegheny hit three foul shots in the closing seconds to secure the road victory.

The outcome seemed improbable after New Ken started the contest impressively. New Ken outscored Greater Allegheny 18-12 in the opening quarter, with junior Ryleigh Beck (Saegertown, Pa./Maplewood) scoring 11 points, include a trio of three-pointers.

Limited to just five players in uniform, Greater Allegheny began the second quarter with only four, after De'Neisha Williams suffered an injury on the final play of the opening frame. She returned after a four-minute absence, however, and Greater Allegheny pulled even by scoring the final eight points of the quarter.

With the game deadlocked at 24-24 beginning the third quarter, both teams sputtered offensively. New Ken committed eight turnovers in the stanza, while Greater Allegheny connected on just 3-20 shots.

Beck paced New Ken with 14 points, and she also provided six rebounds and three steals. Josalind Dennison (Beaver Falls, Pa./Beaver Falls) registered nine points, nine rebounds, and four blocks, Auveonna Perkins (Arnold, Pa./Valley) grabbed a team-best 10 rebounds, and Chavis dished out five assists.

Jayla Ellis led Greater Allegheny with 19 points and six steals, while Williams snagged 10 rebounds and compiled four assists.