Penns Valley holds off Ligonier Valley
SPRING MILLS – Tuesday was a very special night in many ways for the Penn’s Valley girls basketball team.
First, they were able to host the first round of the District 6 playoffs against a feisty Ligonier Valley team.
Secondly, with a Penn’s Valley win, the Lady Rams would advance to the next round.
Finally, it would be win number 300 for longtime coach Karen McCaffrey.
Mission accomplished!
After jumping out to a big lead, Penns Valley held off a late run by Ligonier Valley to notch the 60-50 victory.
In the third quarter, Penn’s Valley opened with a 35-18 advantage.
Ligonier Valley opened the period on a 5-2 run, closing the gap to 37-23 with 5:05 left.
A spark plug for Penns Valley on the night was the workmanlike effort of Kourtney Beamesderfer and she opened the game back up to 16. She finished in double-digits on the night.
After a Ligonier Valley bucket, Beamesderfer hit a triple to keep the game at hand for the home team, 42-25.
When the third quarter ended, the Penns Valley ladies held a 16-point advantage, leading 45-29.
A strong full court press by the Ligonier girls took the Penns Valley lead to just an 8-point lead late in the game but time ran out on the visitors comeback, as PV went onto the 10-point victory.
In the first quarter, Penn’s Valley had its offense rolling early as it posted a 19-point effort while its defense held Ligonier was limited to 11.
In the second period, Penns Valley continued to stretch its lead as it posted another 16 points in the period while limiting Ligonier Valley to just seven.