By Jeff Richards
GIRLS BASKETBALL
McConnellsburg 49, Mount Union 43.  On Tuesday, January 28^th the Lady Spartans hosted the Mount Union Lady Trojans in a cross-conference game and held off an advancing fourth quarter threat with clutch plays late in the game to keep the lead and take the victory.  This win brings relief from last night’s defeat, after a three-game win streak, and improves the Spartans’ record to 13-5 overall (4-1 ICC South), with four games (two home, two away) remaining in the regular season.

The Spartans scored first, and by the fifth minute, had taken two stolen balls to the hoop for consecutive layups to extend the lead to 11-2, prompting the Trojan coach to call a timeout.  The Spartans got an inbounds steal, and, with a Journie Jefferson assist, Serenity Rengifo put up the two-point low post conversion.  The Spartans continued to control the first quarter, posting a 12-point gain and leading 16-4 at the buzzer. The second quarter saw the Spartans further their advantage, ending the half at 26-10.

In the third quarter, the Trojans regrouped and played better at breaking the Spartans’ backcourt defensive press, finding the open player, and committing fewer turnovers. Their defense improved, and they saw the Spartans commit more turnovers.  The quarter concluded with the Spartans leading 36-23, but the Trojans had narrowed the gap.

The final exciting quarter was competitive, with the Trojans continuing to close in on the Spartans’ lead.  The Trojans more often beat the Spartans on fast breaks to pick up easy buckets.  The Trojans got the lead down to six with five minutes to go (40-34 Spartans).  Two minutes before the end, two free throws by Maddie Dimoff brought the score to 44-40.  Despite a steal by the Trojans, the Spartans maintained control, then Brookelynn Gelvin was fouled and she sank two clutch free-throws.  In the closing minute, down 46-40, Trojans Nianni Kane banked a three-pointer off the glass with 25 seconds to go cutting the Spartan lead to three (46-43).  On the inbound, Spartan Sydney Buterbaugh got fouled and converted one of the two free throws (47-43).  After a Trojans timeout with 22 seconds the Trojans Dimoff took the shot but missed.  Spartan Rengifo rebounded, was fouled, then also hit both free throws to ice the game at 49-43 with 4.4 seconds remaining. The Trojans inbounded the ball and made a Hail-Mary shot but it was well short of the rim and the game ended with a score of 49-43.

Spartans’ scoring: Maggie Mellott 2 8-10 2, Serenity Rengifo 6 2-2 15, Lucy Brun 1 0-0 2, Sydney Buterbaugh 4 1-2 10, Journie Jefferson 3 1-2 8, Brookelynn Gelvin 0 2-2 2, Janiah Lowery 0 0-2 0.  Totals: 16 14-20 49. Three-point shots: 3 (Jefferson 1, Rengifo 1, Buterbaugh 1). FTM%: 27%. Team totals: 14 rebounds, 23 turnovers, 10 fouls. Additional stats: Mellott 6 rebounds, 1 block; Rengifo 1 rebound; Brun 3 rebounds; Buterbaugh 1 rebound, 1 block; Jefferson 1 rebound, 1 block; B. Gelvin 1 rebound; and Lowery 1 rebound.

Trojans’ scoring:  Maddie Dimoff 6 2-4 15, Cailyn Skopic 9 1-2 19, Syreira Cox 1 0-0 2, Nianni Kane 2 0-0 5, Lily House 1 0-0 2.   Totals: 19 3-6 43.  3-point shots: 2 (Dimoff 1, Kane 1).  FTM%: 70%.  Team totals:  25 rebounds, 7 turnovers, 15 fouls.

Mount Union             4      6    13   20  —  43
McConnellsburg   16   10    10   13  —  49