PSNK start with a win on the road

Penn State New Kensington Defeats Penn State Scranton in Defensive Showcase, 56-41

The Penn State New Kensington women's basketball team relied on strong defense and efficient rebounding to secure a commanding 56-41 victory over Penn State Scranton. The game featured a standout performance from Destiny Batiste, whose dominance on the boards and consistent scoring paved the way for the win.

First Half: Grit and Defense

The first half was a defensive slugfest, with both teams struggling to find an offensive rhythm. New Kensington leaned on their ability to control the boards, led by Batiste, who grabbed several key rebounds to keep possessions alive. Scranton's Alexis Colasurdo and Megan Gatto worked hard to keep the visitors in the game, but a late surge by Jayde Rivera allowed New Kensington to take a slim lead into halftime.

Second Half: New Kensington Takes Control

In the second half, New Kensington's defense intensified, holding Scranton to just 24.6% shooting for the game. Rivera provided a much-needed spark, driving to the basket and converting on critical free throws to extend the lead. Meanwhile, Batiste continued to dominate inside, finishing the game with an impressive double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds.

While Scranton's Megan Gatto scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds, the visitors couldn't overcome their shooting woes, particularly from beyond the arc (3-for-26). New Kensington capitalized on their defensive stops and secured the game down the stretch with consistent free-throw shooting.

Key Stats

• Shooting Efficiency: New Kensington shot 38.9% from the field compared to Scranton's 24.6%.
• Rebounding: New Kensington won the battle on the glass, outrebounding Scranton 36-33.
• Defense: New Kensington forced 15 turnovers, with Rivera and Barnett contributing key steals.

Player Highlights

• Penn State New Kensington:

  • Destiny Batiste: 18 points, 13 rebounds, 1 steal
  • Jayde Rivera: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
  • Tori Johnson: 11 points, 5 rebounds

• Penn State Scranton:

  • Megan Gatto: 13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals
  • Tressie Bender: 11 points, 3 rebounds
  • Alexis Colasurdo: 8 points, 9 rebounds

Coach's Comments

"Our defense was the key tonight. We made sure to crash the boards and limit their second-chance opportunities," said Coach McGoff. "Destiny [Batiste] and Jayde [Rivera] stepped up big for us."

State Leaders for Penn State New Kensington

• Points: Destiny Batiste (18), Jayde Rivera (14), Tori Johnson (11)
• Rebounds: Destiny Batiste (13), Jayde Rivera (6), Kali Barnett (4)
• Assists: Tori Johnson (1), Jayde Rivera (2), Jada Norman (1)
• Steals: Kali Barnett (1), Destiny Batiste (1), Jayde Rivera (0)