PSNK falls short in tight PSUAC contest

Penn State New Kensington Falls to Penn State Mont Alto, 51-55, in Hard-Fought Battle

Penn State New Kensington put up a valiant effort on their home court but fell short against Penn State Mont Alto, 55-51, in a tightly contested PSUAC matchup. Despite standout performances from Jayde Rivera and Destiny Batiste, New Kensington struggled with efficiency at the free-throw line and turnovers in critical moments of the game.

Game Recap

First Half:
Mont Alto came out strong, led by Dariana Perez, who was an offensive force throughout the game with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. Her ability to penetrate the defense and set up teammates gave Mont Alto an early advantage. New Kensington stayed in the game thanks to Rivera's scoring prowess and solid rebounding from Jada Norman and Batiste, keeping the halftime score within reach.

Second Half:
The second half saw New Kensington battle back, with Rivera and Batiste leading the charge. Rivera's consistent midrange shooting and a key three-pointer kept the team within striking distance. However, Mont Alto's defense capitalized on turnovers, limiting New Kensington's opportunities to close the gap. Late-game free-throw woes (47.4% shooting) and Mont Alto's composure sealed the win for the visitors.

Stat Leaders for Penn State New Kensington:

• Points:

  • Jayde Rivera: 19 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists
  • Destiny Batiste: 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
  • Jada Norman: 9 points, 7 rebounds

• Rebounds:

  • Destiny Batiste: 7 rebounds
  • Jada Norman: 7 rebounds
  • Kali Barnett: 4 rebounds

• Assists:

  • Jayde Rivera: 6
  • Destiny Batiste: 3
  • Kali Barnett: 2

Team Stats:

• Field Goal Percentage:

  • New Kensington: 38.6% (22-57)
  • Mont Alto: 41.2% (21-51)

• Three-Point Shooting:

  • New Kensington: 25.0% (2-8)
  • Mont Alto: 18.2% (4-22)

• Free Throws:

  • New Kensington: 47.4% (9-19)
  • Mont Alto: 71.4% (5-7)

• Turnovers:

  • New Kensington: 15
  • Mont Alto: 19