CALIFORNIA (PA) — Immediately following a big win over the West Greene (PA) Lady Pioneers in the first game of the California (PA) Holiday Hoop Fest Tuesday night, the Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Bucs (5-0) turned their attention towards their next opponent. The very next night on Wednesday, December 29, the Lady Bucs were set to tip-off against the South Allegheny Lady Gladiators (3-4) out of McKeesport, PA.

Much like their first game of the showcase, the Lady Bucs’ physical and aggressive brand of defense caught their opponent off-guard. Defensively, the Lady Bucs held the Lady Gladiators to only 5 first quarter points. Offensively, they got out in transition were senior point guard Shelby McDaniels orchestrated the Lady Bucs fast-pasted balanced attack like a maestro at work, setting up teammates for open looks. 4 Lady Bucs scored early, combining for 13 first quarter points, putting the team up 13-5 at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Gladiators responded, coming alive in the second quarter, outscoring the Lady Bucs 19-13 in the period to trim the lead to 26-24 by halftime.

After possibly getting outscored in a quarter for the first time all season, head coach Rob Kittle and staff rallied the Lady Bucs in the locker-room at halftime. Coming out in the third quarter, the Lady Bucs buckled down defensively, holding the Lady Gladiators only 7 points in the period to emphatically rebound from their worst defensive quarter of the young season. Offensively, the Lady Bucs got a boost in the form of freshman Alyssa Abel chipping in half of the team’s 12 points in the period. At the end of three, the Lady Bucs were up in a close one, 38-31. 

In the fourth, the Lady Bucs’ offense exploded for 18 points to close the door on a potential comeback for the Lady Gladiators. Offensively, sophomore guard Kenna Maxwell saved her best for last scoring 6 of her 8 points on the night in the fourth and junior forward Kendal Currence topped the double-digit scoring milestone by adding 5 points in the final frame to bring her 13 total points in the game. In the end, the Lady Bucs late offensive fireworks overwhelmed the Lady Gladiators in route to a 56-41 victory.

With the win over South Allegheny, Kittle’s Lady Bucs notch their sixth straight win to open the season, improving to a perfect 6-0. The win caps off a dominant 2-0 run against out-of-state competition at the California (PA) Holiday Hoop Fest. The Lady Bucs will enjoy a small New Year’s break before returning to action after the turn of the year, Tuesday, January 4 as they play host to the North Marion Lady Huskies for a conference game.

California (PA) Holiday Hoop Fest Game #2 B-U Team Statistics

20 2-point field goals, 3 3-point field goals, 7-15 from the free throw line

California (PA) Holiday Hoop Fest Game #2 B-U Individual Statistics

Shelby McDaniels - 15 points, 5 2-point field goals, 1 3-point field goal, 2-2 from the free throw line

Kenna Maxwell - 8 points, 4 2-point field goals, 0-2 from the free throw line

Gabby Parke - 9 points, 2 2-point field goals, 1 3-point field goal, 2-4 from the free throw line

Olivia Ellis - 1 point, 1-3 from the free throw line

Alyssa Abel - 10 points, 5 2-point field goals

Kendal Currence - 13 points, 4 2-point field goals, 1 3-point field goal, 2-4 from the free throw line

California (PA) Holiday Hoop Fest Game #2 Box Score

B-U

13

26

38

56

South Allegheny

5

24

31

41