PSNK play off bound after win
February 18, 2025

PSNK play off bound after win

Penn State New Kensington Clinches PSUAC Playoff Spot with 81-66 Win Over Penn State Greater Allegheny

New Kensington, PA – Penn State New Kensington secured a crucial 81-66 victory over Penn State Greater Allegheny, officially clinching a spot in the PSUAC playoffs. Behind a dominant performance from Jayde Rivera, who poured in 27 points on 12-19 shooting, New Kensington controlled the game and delivered a strong team effort to seal the win.

First Half: New Kensington Takes Control

New Kensington set the tone early with an aggressive offensive approach, led by Destiny Batiste's playmaking and ability to get to the free-throw line. Batiste tallied a double-double, finishing with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists while also adding five steals to disrupt Greater Allegheny's offensive flow.

Tori Johnson was another key contributor, scoring 18 points while efficiently shooting 7-13 from the field. Greater Allegheny struggled to generate consistent perimeter offense, shooting just 1-7 from three-point range (14.3%), which allowed New Kensington to maintain a lead heading into halftime.

Second Half: Rivera Shines as New Kensington Pulls Away

With Greater Allegheny battling to stay in the game behind Tomisha Pierce's 21-point effort, New Kensington responded with a balanced offensive attack. Rivera continued to attack the basket and knocked down timely shots, while Jada Norman provided strong support in the paint with 8 points and 6 rebounds.

Defensively, New Kensington's pressure forced 9 turnovers from Greater Allegheny, and their ability to capitalize on mistakes helped build an insurmountable lead in the fourth quarter. Despite a strong effort from Peyton Smith, who recorded 21 points and 11 rebounds for Greater Allegheny, New Kensington's efficiency and defensive execution proved to be the difference.

Key Takeaways

  • Jayde Rivera's Offensive Brilliance: 27 points on 12-19 shooting, providing the scoring spark.
  • Batiste's All-Around Impact: 21 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 5 steals.
  • New Kensington's Defensive Intensity: Forced 14 steals and limited Greater Allegheny's three-point shooting to 14.3%.
  • Clutch Free-Throw Shooting: 77.8% from the line, helping secure the win late.

With this victory, Penn State New Kensington officially qualifies for the PSUAC playoffs, setting the stage for an exciting postseason run.

Penn State New Kensington Team Stats

  • Field Goals: 32-68 (47.1%)
  • Three-Point FG: 3-14 (21.4%)
  • Free Throws: 14-18 (77.8%)
  • Total Rebounds: 30
  • Assists: 19
  • Steals: 14
  • Blocks: 2
  • Turnovers: 13
  • Personal Fouls: 11
  • Final Score: Penn State New Kensington 81 - Penn State Greater Allegheny 66