Curwensville — Over a month ago, the Curwensville Lady Tide got their first victory in over two years when they defeated Johnsonburg.
The team did not have to wait that long to get their second.
Inside Patton Hall Monday night, the Tide welcomed the Bucktail Bucks to compete on the hardwood. Although outmatched in size, and height, Curwensville got a quick lead and never gave it up. The Bucks tried to make a game out of it, but 23 costly turnovers were too much to overcome and the Tide rolled to a 41-36 victory.
“We moved well to the ball tonight and got ourselves in good position,” head coach Rusty McCracken said after the game.
“Bucktail is a a very young team despite their size, and we had to press them early.”
Curensville’s man-to-man defense worked well as they opened up a seven-point lead quickly in the first quarter. But, Bucktail began to make a game of it in the second as 6’ 2” center Rebecca Gentzyel began rolling in the points and the rebounds. Gentzyel ended the night leading in both points, 24, and rebounds, 16.
“Their big girl (Gentzyel) had her way in the first half, and we needed to make some adjustments,” McCracken said.
“I told the girls to stand their ground and to stop blocking her shots, which forced them to go to the outside shots, and they’re not as effective on the outside.”
What was most effective was the turnover ratio for Curwensville as Bucktail turned the ball over 23 times, 13 of them in the first half. The Lady Tide took advantage while maintaining good control, only committing nine turnovers.
Tess Bloom had a big night as she earned a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, all team highs. Not to be outdone, Katie Wriglesworth gained eight rebounds herself while leading the team in assists with six.
Bucktail made a game of it coming out of halftime as the Lady Tide had trouble making quick and easy shots throughout the third quarter. The Tide only went 3 for 24 in the third period, while making three foul shots. However, despite the low point total by Curwensville, the Bucks had even more trouble as they only put two shots in the net.
The Tide lead was as much as 11 points, but Bucktail battled back in the fourth as Curwensville got into foul trouble. The lead was cut down to three points with little time remaining, but the Tide got a boost of energy as both Savannah Strickland and Courtney Bachelier went to the foul line, each draining their two free throws.
Trish Gentzyel made one last shot with less than ten seconds left to cut the gap to five, but Curwensville ran out the clock as the ball was in-bounded, securing the win.
Curwensville also got a victory in the jayvee game in a 48-42 overtime shootout.
With a second victory under their belt, McCracken’s girls now look to stay hot as they are back in action Tuesday night against Sheffield. McCracken was quick to point out as big as a win this was, they weren’t settling for just one victory this week.
“There’s definitely a lot of confidence after the way we performed tonight, but Sheffield is not an easy game. They’ve beaten teams that have beaten us this year,” McCracken said. “But, it’s definitely a lot more fun to play after a win.”
Tip off is set for 6 p.m. for the junior varsity game, with the varsity contest to follow.
Bucktail 7 11 4 14 36
Curwensville 11 10 9 11 41
Two-Point Shots: BT-13/47 CV-13/71
Three-Point Shots: BT-0/0 CV-0/6
Rebounds: BT-27 CV-38
Turnovers: BT-23 CV-9
Team Fouls: BT-15 CV-20
Bucktail 36
Cowfer 1 2-4 4, K. Gentzyel 0 0-1 0, Williams 0 0-2 0, Cool 1 0-0 2, T. Gentzyel 1 2-2 4, Jones 1 0-0 2, R. Gentzyel 9 6-11 24. Totals 13 10-18 36
Curwensville 41
Strickland 2 3-4 7, Barrett 0 0-0 0, Johnson 0 0-0 0, Bumbarger 2 0-0 4, Bachelier 0 2-2 2, Buzard 0 0-0 0, Bloom 7 8-8 22, Wriglesworth 1 2-5 4, Seaburn 1 0-0 2. Totals 13 13-19 41