Lady Lions steady in win at New Kensington

New Kensington, Pa. - Playing in their final non-league game of the season, the Lady Lions commanded the floor in Saturday's win at Penn State New Kensington. Behind strong scoring efforts from senior Mckenzie Prutsman (Jasper, Ny.) and sophomore Devon Keiper (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), Hazleton steadily increased their advantage throughout the affair and a 42 point effort in the second left little doubt of the outcome. The Lions would go on capture their sixth win of the season by the final score of 70-34. 

Despite losing the contest on the glass, Hazleton dominated the turnover battle forcing 40 New Kensington miscues. Those turnovers translated into 40 points for the Lady Lions coming off a season high 27 steals amongst six players. Contrastingly, Hazleton secured their possessions, surrendering the ball just 13 times on the afternoon making for a recipe for success. 

Prutsman continued her string of success on the offensive end to lead Hazleton with 32 points marking her fifth game this season with 30 or more points. The senior shot 15-of-29 from the field, adding team highs with eight steals and seven assists. Keiper found her rhythm in the second half, scoring 13 of her season high 19 points in the final two quarters. Keiper shot better than 50 from the field and grabbed four steals respectively. 

While not cracking double-figures in the scoring column, sophomore Lauren Pataki (Hazleton, Pa.) and freshman Hayley Fellin's (Hazleton, Pa.) hard work in full court pressure helped secure the outcome for the Lady Lions. Pataki swiped a season high seven steals while adding seven rebounds and three assists while Fellin pulled in a team high 13 rebounds with eight points and four steals to her credit. 

Next up: With four teams chasing a pair of remaining playoff spots, Monday kicks off an important week for the Lady Lions who currently occupy the number four spot in the Penn State University Athletic Conference's Eastern Division. Hazleton leads Penn State York by .5 game in the division and will host the York squad in the first of two meetings on Monday night beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium.