HYDE — It was a week ago that the Lady Bison had an opportunity to be on the hardwood for competition, as, thanks to winter weather, practices and games have been halted and adjusted. Finally, Clearfield had a chance to step back into the Bison Gymnasium and see if the layoff was helpful. The challenge, however, was the opposition, as the undefeated Lady Chucks of Punxsutawney were looking to continuing that streak.
Early on, Clearfield stayed with the visitors in red, and made it a challenge to get any momentum. But, unfortunately, the Chucks proved why they were ranked in Class 3A, as they overpowered the Lady Bison to take a 54-24 victory, and handing Clearfield its ninth loss on the season.
In the opening stanza, neither side had a definitive advantage. Punxsutawney held the 9-4 advantage after the first quarter, but the Lady Bison kept the visitors honest, and looked to move forward and keep it close in the second quarter.
That proved easier said than done as Punxsutawney forced the Lady Bison to make tough decisions, and forced turnovers, while playing strong defense. Combined, the Chucks put up 20 points in the second quarter, 18 of which came from Sarah Weaver, Riley Presbid and Chloe Presbid, combined. Add in the defense of the visitors holding Clearfield to just nine points, and it made for a decisive second quarter as the Chucks took a double-digit lead, 29-13, into halftime that never waivered.
Weaver would lead all scorers on the night with 17 points, while Chloe Presbid accounted for another 14.
The third quarter was most of the same for the Bison as they were out-muscled 16-7. Clearfield never escaped the single digits in scoring, both in the quarter and as a team. Cayleigh Walker accounted for a team-high nine points, while Paige Rhine chipped in another seven.
The Lady Bison (8-9) have four more games in as many days, as they will be on the road Wednesday night when they travel to face DuBois Central Catholic. The Lady Cardinals just faced the Lady Bison one week earlier, with Clearfield taking the 53-44 triumph. Tip-off is slated for 7:15 p.m.
SCORE BY QUARTER
Punxsutawney 9 20 16 9 – 54
Clearfield 4 9 7 4 – 24
PUNXSUTAWNEY – 54
Sarah Weaver 7 1-2 17, Riley Presbid 4 0-0 9, Chloe Presbid 5 1-2 14, Kierstin Riley 3 0-0 6, Katelyn Griebel 2 0-0 4, Maddi Shiock 0 0-0 0, Danielle Griebel 1 0-0 2, Amy Poole 0 0-0 0, Maeve Hanley 0 0-0 0, Emily Dobbins 0 0-0 0, Riley Doverspike 1 0-0 2. TOTALS 23 2-4 54.
CLEARFIELD – 24
Riley Ryen 0 1-2 1, Cayleigh Walker 2 4-6 8, Emma Hipps 1 0-0 3, Paige Rhine 3 1-2 7, Megan Durandetta 1 0-0 3, Alaina Fedder 0 0-0 0, Lauryn Kitchen 1 0-0 2, Alayna Winters 0 0-0 0, Ally Gaines 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 8 6-10 24.