Penn State New Kensington Falls to Penn State Du Bois in Defensive Battle

Penn State New Kensington Falls to Penn State Du Bois in Defensive Battle

In a hard-fought matchup, Penn State New Kensington struggled to find their offensive rhythm, ultimately falling to Penn State Du Bois 67-51. Despite a strong effort on the defensive end, New Kensington's shooting struggles and turnovers proved costly against a well-balanced Du Bois squad.

First Half: A Tight Defensive Contest

The game began with both teams emphasizing defense, making scoring difficult early on. Penn State New Kensington found some success from beyond the arc, with Tori Johnson (13 points) and Jayde Rivera (18 points) knocking down key three-pointers to keep the game close. However, Du Bois' inside presence, led by Natalie Bowser's perfect shooting night (9-9 FG, 19 points), gave them a slight edge heading into halftime.

Second Half: Du Bois Pulls Away

Despite a strong defensive effort from Kali Barnett and Destiny Batiste, who combined for seven steals, Penn State New Kensington struggled with efficiency, shooting just 38.3% from the field and 56.3% from the free-throw line. Jada Norman contributed 11 points and five rebounds, but turnovers (18 total) prevented New Kensington from closing the gap.

On the other end, Penn State Du Bois took advantage of second-chance opportunities, securing 32 total rebounds and hitting key three-pointers from Shannon Shaw (17 points, 5-11 from three). Their balanced scoring and efficient shooting (51.0% FG) allowed them to maintain control and seal the win.

Key Takeaways

• Shooting Struggles: New Kensington shot just 38.3% from the field and 56.3% from the free-throw line, missing crucial scoring opportunities.
• Turnover Woes: 18 turnovers led to transition points for Du Bois.
• Defensive Hustle: Despite the loss, New Kensington recorded 13 steals, disrupting Du Bois' offense.
• Standout Performances: Jayde Rivera (18 points), Tori Johnson (13 points), and Jada Norman (11 points, 5 rebounds) led the way for New Kensington.

Penn State New Kensington Team Stats

• Field Goals: 18-47 (38.3%)
• Three-Point FG: 6-16 (37.5%)
• Free Throws: 9-16 (56.3%)
• Total Rebounds: 19
• Assists: 8
• Steals: 13
• Blocks: 2
• Turnovers: 18
• Personal Fouls: 11
• Final Score: Penn State New Kensington 51 - Penn State Du Bois 67