ST. MARYS — A four-point second quarter doomed the Curwensville Area High School girls basketball team Wednesday night in a 53-38 loss to Elk County Catholic that dropped the Lady Tide out of the Allegheny Mountain League South Division lead.
Three-pointers by Ciara Strickland and Becca Johnson and a basket by Katrina Seaburn had the Lady Tide in front 8-2 approximately six minutes into the cross-over game that counted in the division standings for both teams.
“Our top scorers did what they were supposed to at that point,” Curwensville coach Rusty McCracken said.
Then, the homestanding Lady Crusaders went on a run that gave them a 9-8 edge at the turn and stretched into the second period.
“That kind of set the tone for the rest of the evening,” McCracken said. “I think it was 16-8 before we scored again.”
Elk County Catholic (10-2) outpointed Curwensville 17-4 in the second quarter for a 26-12 halftime cushion that stood up as the teams played on even terms in the second half.
“Part of it was their hustle,” McCracken said. “They’re constantly trying to pressure, which probably was the difference in the game. Even when you break the press, they’re still coming at you defensively.
“That’s pretty much their strong suit. They never let you feel at ease.”
Krista Hanes scored 15 points, including a trio of three-pointers, for the Crusaders, who are setting the pace in the North Division at 6-1.
Seaburn’s 10 points led the Lady Tide, now 2-2 and a half-game behind DuBois Central Catholic in the South Division.
In the junior varsity game, Elk County Catholic triumphed 46-17.
Curwensville (5-5) will close out the three-game week Friday by hosting West Branch in a showdown for first place in the Moshannon Valley League. The Lady Tide is 3-0, and the Lady Warriors can match that MVL start by beating Moshannon Valley Thursday night.
Allegheny Mountain League South Division standings – DuBois Central Catholic 3-2, Curwensville 2-2, Brockway 1-4, Ridgway 1-4.
CURWENSVILLE — 38
Heather Thorp 1 0-0 2, Becca Johnson 4 0 -0 9, Ciara Strickland 2 0-0 5, Katrina Seaburn 5 0-0 10, Tiffany Carter 3 0-2 6, Tierra Shope 3 0-0 6, Kealy Wassil 0 0-0 0, Abby Dugo 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 18 0-2 38.
ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC — 53
Julia Sweeney 2 2-2 7, Michelle Imbrogno 0 0-0 0, Taylor DaCanal 4 1-1 9, Erin Petrosky 0 0-0 0, Krista Hanes 6 0-0 15, Macy Neureiter 3 0-0 7, Kirstie Wehler 1 3-4 5, Chiara Genevro 2 0-0 4, Hayley DaCanal 1 0-0 2, Maria Scacchitti 0 0-2 0, Kayla Weis 0 0-0 0, Steph Zimmerman 1 0-0 2, Michela Cashmer 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 21 6-9 53.
Three-Point Field Goals – Curwensville 2 (Johnson, Strickland); Elk County Catholic 5 (Sweeney, Hanes 3, Neureiter).
Score by Quarters
Curwensville 8 4 14 12 – 38
Elk County Christian 9 17 16 11 – 53
Lady Tide Scoreboard:
| Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
| 12/10 | MO VALLEY | 52 – 16 | 1 – 0 |
| 12/11 | BROCKWAY | 57 – 32 | 2 – 0 |
| 12/14 | @ Ridgway | 70 – 28 | 3 – 0 |
| 12/19 | HARMONY | 60 – 15 | 4 – 0 |
| 12/21 | @ Kane | ppd. | 4 – 0 |
| 12/27 | @ Clearfield | 52 – 60 | 4 – 1 |
| 01/02 | @ Kane | 31 – 59 | 4 – 2 |
| 01/04 | DUBOIS CENTRAL | 49 – 55 | 4 – 3 |
| 01/08 | @ Johnsonburg | 33 – 48 | 4 – 4 |
| 01/10 | @ Harmony | 66 – 28 | 5 – 4 |
| 01/16 | @ Elk County | 38 – 53 | 5 – 5 |
| 01/18 | WEST BRANCH |