ROAD TRIP ENDS IN DEFEAT

Penn State New Kensington Falls to Penn State Wilkes-Barre, 67-43

In a tough matchup, Penn State New Kensington couldn't overcome the relentless attack of Penn State Wilkes-Barre, falling 67-43 in a game that highlighted defensive challenges and shooting struggles.

First Half: A Tight Start

New Kensington started the game with determination, fueled by the efforts of Destiny Batiste and Jada Norman, who combined for most of the team's points. However, Wilkes-Barre capitalized on their offensive rebounds and efficient ball movement, with Aliya Tikhtova leading the way inside. The first half ended with Wilkes-Barre holding a narrow lead, as New Kensington's shooting woes—particularly from beyond the arc—started to take a toll.

Second Half: Wilkes-Barre Pulls Away

In the second half, Wilkes-Barre extended their lead with balanced scoring and dominance on the boards. Tikhtova's presence in the paint, supported by Aysia Pink's timely scoring, proved too much for New Kensington to handle. Despite Batiste securing a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, New Kensington's struggles from the field (25.8%) and turnovers (17) left them unable to mount a comeback.

Game Leaders

• Penn State New Kensington:

  • Destiny Batiste: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
  • Jada Norman: 14 points, 14 rebounds
  • Jayde Rivera: 8 points, 4 rebounds

• Penn State Wilkes-Barre:

  • Aliya Tikhtova: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks
  • Aysia Pink: 12 points, 7 rebounds
  • Karma Paez: 9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals

Key Stats

• Field Goal Percentage:

  • New Kensington: 25.8% (17-66)
  • Wilkes-Barre: 40.6% (28-69)

• Three-Point Shooting:

  • New Kensington: 10.0% (2-20)
  • Wilkes-Barre: 17.4% (4-23)

• Rebounding:

  • New Kensington: 37
  • Wilkes-Barre: 48

State Leaders for Penn State New Kensington

• Points: Destiny Batiste (20), Jada Norman (14), Jayde Rivera (8)
• Rebounds: Jada Norman (14), Destiny Batiste (10), Jayde Rivera (4)
• Assists: Destiny Batiste (6), Tori Johnson (1), Jada Norman (1)
• Steals: Destiny Batiste (3), Tori Johnson (1), Kali Barnett (1)