Loss for PSNK in tight PSUAC Contest

Penn State New Kensington Falls to Penn State Hazleton in Close Contest, 66-61

Despite a valiant effort, the Penn State New Kensington women's basketball team fell short in a hard-fought 66-61 loss to Penn State Hazleton on November 23, 2024. The game, played on New Kensington's home court, featured standout individual performances and a tightly contested battle until the final whistle.

First Half: A Defensive Battle

The game opened with strong defensive play from both teams. Destiny Batiste led New Kensington in the first half, showcasing her scoring ability inside and out. Hazleton countered with balanced scoring from Brianna Kennedy and Azaria Johnson, who combined for a significant portion of their team's points. At halftime, the teams were neck-and-neck, with Hazleton holding a slim lead.

Second Half: A Game of Runs

The second half saw New Kensington push hard to close the gap. Tori Johnson nailed crucial three-pointers, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Kali Barnett added 10 points, but Hazleton's Azaria Johnson was nearly unstoppable, shooting an impressive 81.8% from the field and finishing with 19 points.

While Hazleton maintained a small lead throughout, New Kensington stayed within striking distance, thanks to Batiste's double-double performance of 25 points and 14 rebounds. However, late-game turnovers and Hazleton's clutch free-throw shooting (90.9% from the line) sealed the game for the visitors.

Key Stats

• Shooting Efficiency: Hazleton shot 43.5% from the field, compared to New Kensington's 40.7%.
• Rebounds: New Kensington outrebounded Hazleton 32-24, with Batiste leading all players on the glass.
• Free Throws: New Kensington was perfect from the line, going 13-for-13, but Hazleton's higher volume (10-for-11) proved pivotal.

Player Highlights

• Penn State Hazleton:

  • Azaria Johnson: 19 points, 3 rebounds, 81.8% FG
  • Brianna Kennedy: 18 points, 8 rebounds
  • Topaz Williams-Fripp: 18 points, 4 rebounds

• Penn State New Kensington:

  • Destiny Batiste: 25 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals
  • Tori Johnson: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
  • Kali Barnett: 10 points, 6 rebounds

State Leaders for Penn State New Kensington

• Points: Destiny Batiste (25), Tori Johnson (17)
• Rebounds: Destiny Batiste (14), Kali Barnett (6)
• Assists: Tori Johnson (5), Jayde Rivera (4)
• Steals: Destiny Batiste (3), Tori Johnson (3)