MONACA, Pa. - The Penn State New Kensington women's basketball team lost on the road at the campus of Penn State Beaver Wednesday night despite a valiant effort.

The women put on a solid performance in their third game in five days Wednesday as they played through a slow-starting offense. New Kensington's first scoring of the game did not come until the last minute of the first quarter when Shaylynne Boitnott (Meadville, Pa. / Meadville) found the net in her usual spot under the hoop.

Additional scoring by Izzabelle Estrabela  (Natrona Heights, Pa. / Highlands) added to the team's more nimble pace. Deshaya Chavis (Penn Hills, Pa. / Penn Hills) found her groove around the same time, finally contributing her typical clean three-pointers. Ryliegh Beck (Saegertown, Pa. / Maplewood) was also in the mix with accurate shots in the key.

While New Kensington only achieved 35.0% of shots from the field, the women picked up their pace nearing the middle of the second quarter with a smoother offensive run. At the conclusion of the first half, New Kensington was trailing 43-17. The women's scoring leaders include Shaylynne Boitnott with six points, Deshaya Chavis with five, and Izzabelle Estrabela with four.

The women increased their defensive game early in the second half. Chavis and Beck fought harder for the rebounds. Beck also began the scoring for New Kensington with a favorable three-pointer.

Chavis and Beck remained the main scorers through the rest of the third quarter. Chavis began her signature drive in the fourth when the passing rate improved. This also allowed Beck more opportunities outside the paint. New Kensington played physical through the fourth quarter as noticeable developments began to appear on both offense and defense. They managed 14 points in the remainder of the second half, ultimately falling behind 81-31. Game scoring leaders include Shaylynne Boitnott with 11 points, Deshaya Chavis with nine, and Ryliegh Beck with seven.

In spite of the loss, the women have no reason to feel disappointed in their recent performances. Over the weekend they put on a great show of unity and sportsmanship. Their loss to DuBois this past Saturday was one of team confidence and play recognition. They also won their first game of the season on Monday.

The team is encouraged by intense and calculated practice plans. It is important that the women have a great understanding of the sport beyond being an athlete. Their play-calling development allowed them an offensive cushion to shine on defense.

Once the women meet an aspect of the game, they have proven that they will never lose it. "With our core group, we've had some great energy," said Coach Meaghan Volek during Thursday's practice. "It's a very focused energy, they come, they're ready to work and they're ready to be focused."

The interpersonal communication of the team has also improved moving forward. "We talk a lot about having positive energy, brushing off a missed shot, going on to the next play, and that's something we've really been focusing on here in the second semester, especially with our limited numbers so we're excited and we're seeing some of that growth," said Volek. "The positive talk between teammates and to each other."

That growth is coming but the women intend to persevere. The team incurred injuries during their season. It is always on the mind of the coaches and trainers throughout practice and especially at games. "Luckily we have a phenomenal full-time athletic trainer in Larissa so they're always encouraged to go see Larissa and get some of that training in," said Volek. "We have foam rollers available for them to stretch out. And so we just tell them all the time to make sure they're taking care of their bodies, listen to their bodies, do some extra stretching in the shower, those types of things."

Practice and training are intense but it is most important to work on the fundamentals. "That's one of the reasons why we try to have a focused practice plan and if we get in and get done then we are done for the day."

The women will resume division and conference play on Saturday, January 29, when they take on Penn State Scranton at home at 2:00 p.m.

Written by Matt Heavner, PSNK Athletics Communications Intern