NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. - The Penn State New Kensington women's basketball team dropped to 0-14 at home on Saturday afternoon in spite of an impressive defense and overall improved team performance.
Saturday afternoon's contest in New Kensington was a game of extraordinary opportunities. The women took advantage of as many as they could before the end of regulation and fell short in a stunning and respectable hustle.
The women faced off against Penn State DuBois, playing their most aggressive game of the season. The contest began quickly when Izzabelle Estrabela (Natrona Heights, Pa. / Highlands) earned the first points of the game for the Lions at the 8:33 mark.
A formidable defense refused to let up while the offense sustained a revamped passing protocol both in and out of the paint. Their most combative play came in their opponent's territory with Deshaya Chavis (Penn Hills, Pa. / Penn Hills) continuing her physical season driving to the hoop from the left.
The team also managed to operate effectively off of the rebound, totaling 43 in the game. Chavis administered a buzzer-beater from half court to end the first quarter with New Kensington leading 15-14.
On the whole, the women showed a magnificent defensive run through much of the second period, holding DuBois to 17 points in the half. Ryliegh Beck (Saegertown, Pa. / Maplewood) emerged as the main defensive player in a grappling match for rebounds.
New Kensington's offensive work rate allowed the women to outplay DuBois in the first half racking up 43.89% of shots from the field to their competitors 23.7%. The women's team remained close in their scoring capacity with a tremendous first quarter of 15 points followed by another solid quarter of 11.
As the women entered the floor after the half, additional contributions were made by Shaylynne Boitnott (Meadville, Pa. / Meadville) who played her best basketball under the hoop while outnumbered and heavily pressured.
DuBois picked up their offensive drive early leading to a stalemate for much of the third quarter. Chavis then led a surge in the pace with more consistent scoring and exceptional defense. The third quarter ended with yet another stalemate, New Kensington trailing by two.
Next, New Kensington maintained domination in a new and improved defensive strategy. Both teams turned quiet in the last 10 minutes of the game until the DuBois offense finally pulled away and never looked back, finishing on top 60-47.
Penn State New Kensington's scoring leaders include Deshaya Chavis with 23 points, followed by Izzabelle Estrabela in a great game with 10, and Shaylynne Boitnott rounding out the leaders with 8.
The action never ceased for Chavis, Beck, and Sarah Usko (Lower Burrell, Pa. / Burrell) who all put in the full 40 minutes. All told, the women appeared better in their first game in over a week.
Oftentimes in sports, old cliches are the only description left for teams that never quit. In the case of women's basketball, "Practice Makes Perfect" is an excellent affirmation. The women took to the court on Friday, January 14, undeterred by incoming winter weather or the news of their weekend games being postponed. With the first heavy snow of the season en route to New Kensington, the women's conviction in themselves was uninterrupted.
"We're still coming with a positive attitude because we're really just trying to continue to trust each other and trust that we can do what we are capable of doing, holding each other accountable really," said Deshaya Chavis during Friday night's practice.
Chavis was one of the standouts in last Thursday's game, playing the full 40 minutes and earning 20 points in what turned out to be a physical contest. "I would say that I'm more of a driving point guard than like a shooting, but I took whatever they gave me," said Chavis.
Due to the fact that games are so physical, both teams also accumulate personal fouls. Chavis, along with trusted teammate Shaylynne Boitnott exercised their free throws as the Athletic Center emptied out and the night grew colder.
Challenges are nothing new to the women of New Kensington basketball, but neither is their fortitude. ". . . it's good enough to get us a win against these teams," said Chavis. "That's just what we're striving for is wins at this point. We still want to have a pretty decent season . . . we're getting a win, trust me."
The women will battle at the campus of Community College of Allegheny County on Monday, January 24, at 5:00 p.m.
Written by Matt Heavner, PSNK Athletics Communications Intern
