Second half recovery proves vital to 71-66 New Ken win

SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa. – Moments before hitting midpoint of the second half on Saturday, New Kensington men's basketball knotted the score of the contest that Lehigh Valley had previously controlled, and earned a conference victory, 71-66.

With the win, New Kensington improves to 2-9 in conference play and 3-14 overall, while Lehigh Valley drops to 1-10 in the conference and 1-16 overall.

Lehigh Valley controlled the first half, which was proven from the start after going on an eight-point run. New Kensington continued to tie the scores, but Lehigh Valley broke away each given time. It was a one possession contest at 1:22, 32-20, after a layup by Jamison Nee (Natrona Heights, Pa./ Highlands), but Lehigh Valley used the last minute to pull ahead before heading into the second half.

Hesro Johnson III paced with 14 points for the home team, while Lehigh Valley collectively converted 15 of 33 field goals and drilled in four three-pointers. New Kensington attempted 36 field goals and managed to sink 11. New Kensington came up shy, 38-31, at the end of the half.

During the second, Johnson III was the forefront of Lehigh Valley's offense, compiling 19 points. To match what Johnson was producing, Nee and Jahi Ogbonna (Pittsburgh, Pa./ Allderdice) hit double digits to pull New Kensington ahead. Once again, Nee tied up the contest, 47-47, at 11:42. The two, along with Tyrone Johnson (Westminster, Md./ North Carroll), went to work to seize the win.

New Kensington was able to outscore Lehigh Valley 40-28, which was enough to overcome the deficit it faced in the early stages of the contest. New Kensington landed 13 of 35 field goals, while Lehigh Valley put in nine. Both teams attempted 13 from the line, but New Kensington was able to hit four more than its opponent.

A big second half for Ogbonna put him as New Kensington's leading scorer with 18 points, while also adding four rebounds. Nee and Johnson each put up 15 points. Along with reaching double digits, Johnson led with nine rebounds, and Nee totaled a game high of four assists and five steals.

Johnson III compiled 33 points to lead Lehigh Valley, along with three steals. Demond Farley took 11 rebounds, and Connor O'Brien had three assists.

New Kensington will faceoff with Penn State Greater Allegheny on Tuesday at 8 p.m., while Lehigh Valley remains home to play Penn State Scranton at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Written by Janet Surma