HAZLETON, Pa. – Although the last three quarters were neck and neck in Friday's women's basketball contest, New Kensington came up short 72-53 after not being able to bounce back from the 14-point deficit in the opening quarter. With this loss, New Kensington moves down to 1-3 (conference) and 1-7 (overall), while Hazleton advances to 2-3 (conference) and 3-5 (overall).

The large gap New Kensington faced in the first quarter proved to be the downfall of the otherwise close game. Only down by five with three minutes remaining, New Kensington watched Hazleton go on an eight-point run to close out the quarter. Hazleton shot 9 of 21, meanwhile New Kensington only went 2 for 12.

Hazleton was up 24-10 at the start of the second. Only getting outscored by two, New Kensington was still too far down to gain command of the game. Shaylynne Boitnott (Meadville, Pa./ Meadville) hit three of five from the arc and sunk both field goal attempts to contribute to New Kensington's bettering score. Heading into halftime, the score was 43-17.

In the closest quarter of the game, the teams tied with 15 points apiece. Ryleigh Beck (Saegertown, Pa./ Maplewood) put up six for New Kensington, while together, the team went 6 for 12 in field goals, which outdid Hazleton's 4 for 14. With no luck of outscoring the host, New Kensington was still behind by 26 as the third quarter came to an end.

During the fourth, Auveonna Perkins (Arnold, Pa./ Valley) began the scoring for New Kensington, and tied for the lead with Josalind Dennison (Beaver Falls, Pa./ Beaver Falls), as they each totaled up four points. Hazleton only outscored New Kensington 14-11, but that first quarter deficit was too much to make up.

Boitnott was the team's highest scorer, tallying up 14 points. Deshaya Chavis (Penn Hills, Pa./ Penn Hills) followed with 12, and Beck contributed 11. Beck also had four assists and a steal. Dennison played aggressive defense and earned herself 13 rebounds, while Perkins was right there with nine.

Jaclyn Hess was Hazleton's leading scorer, pacing with 18 points. Phillis Fugah reached 14, and RosaLydia Caputo led with 10 rebounds.

New Kensington will play again tomorrow against Penn State Schuylkill at the Athletic Open House Event at 1 p.m. Hazleton will hit the court on Tuesday as they face off with visitors Lehigh Valley.

Written by Janet Surma